Vision
In view of the increasing needs for job creation and sustainable development in rural areas, The Food Health and Hope Foundation wishes to establish the best training institution in the country to provide basic farming and rural entrepreneurial skills to the emerging small farmers in South Africa in order to meaningfully and significantly contribute to the country’s integrated rural development strategy.

In light of this, The Food Health and Hope Foundation initially funded by Monsanto and the WK Kellogg Foundation, has established the Buhle Farmers’ Academy to provide top quality practical skills training to new and small-scale farmers in South Africa.

On this Page... Vision Background Mission Objectives of the Academy Goals Award

Background
With the integration of Sensako as part of the Monsanto seed business, the Delmas Research Station of Sensako became redundant. Local staff, especially farm labourers had to be laid of. This aggravated the already high unemployment rate in Delmas, being part of the Mpumalanga province. Unemployment in this area is approaching 50% far above the 38% in South Africa.

The country leads of Monsanto in Africa, Peter Turner and Dave Westphal recommended, upon due consultation with local community leaders, that consideration be given to utilize this farm partly as a small (developing) farmer training center, and furthermore to utilize the remaining part of this farm model by establishing selected, trained potential farmers on semi- to permanent basis.

This farm constitutes 150 ha of which 71 ha are arable including 40 ha of irrigated land. An area of 16 ha of lower potential land is covered by high potential, permanent pastures (Eragrostus curvula) utilized for making hay. The arable land is of high potential with clay content of 20 - 30%.

An office block of 13 offices, small kitchen and seminar room was built in 1995, various other buildings that were utilized as seed stores, a large shed and 16 labour houses can be put to further use. Two old but usable farmhouses up till now occupied by research technicians, complete the improvements. Sufficient irrigation equipment (portable pipes) and one center pivot covering 14 ha are also available for possible usage.

Monsanto established the Food Health and Hope Foundation through support of the Monsanto Foundation to take responsibility for the Buhle Farmer’s Academy project. The fund is established to take full operational responsibility and would also serve as a channel for potential funds received from various donors.

Mission
To enable new and emerging farmers to establish themselves, in a viable farming business through effective practical training and support.

Objectives of the Academy
To provide:

• an appropriate theoretical knowledge base
• hands-on practical skills training
• training in Farm Business Management
• training in life skills
• effective after training follow-up and support

Goals

• To train at least 30 people (farmers) in the first year and at least 50 farmers yearly thereafter so that they become self-sustained rural entrepreneurs in the medium to long term.
• Assign priority to the training needs of the Delmas farming community, to the province of Mpumalanga and to the country at large, respectively.
• The training program will be demand driven and will cater and respond to the specific needs of the communities concerned.

Award
Monsanto South Africa received a Bronse Award from the American Chamber of Business in South Africa for the efforts to establish and support the Buhle Academy. On this photo is Neil de Smidt, Director of the Buhle Academy, and Kobus Lindeque, Area Director for Monsanto Sub-Sahara Africa with the Award.