New training programme to help fill vital management roles in African agriculture

2 Oct 2017

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with partners Strathmore Business School (SBS) in Kenya, Harper Adams University in the UK and Kenya-based The Bridge Africa which runs programmes to prepare graduates for employment, to inaugurate a new agribusiness course. The AGCO Agribusiness Programme (AAP) is being established to develop talent to fill vital junior management roles in African agriculture and the supply chain - currently a major gap in the continent's skills resources.

Pictured from left to right: Simon Mwangi, CEO/Founder The Bridge Africa Group Ltd, Kenya; AGCO’s Nuradin Osman; Dr George Njenga, Dean, Strathmore Business School and Dr Andy Wilcox, Head of Crop and Environment Science, Harper Adams University, UK. (Image Source: AGCO Corporation)

A long-term commitment to skills development on the continent

The demand for agriculture to produce more food from less is driving the pace of change in farming practices. The AAP is open to students throughout Africa and is a direct response to the need to bring young talent into the agribusiness sector in Africa.

“We are extremely proud to have established this comprehensive new agribusiness programme,” says Nuradin Osman, AGCO Vice President and General Manager Africa. “As a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions, AGCO is acutely aware of the management skills shortage in the African agricultural supply chain sector. Therefore, we have taken the initiative to meet this challenge head-on with a long-term commitment to skills development on the continent.”

Ensuring that Africa is run from Africa

Scheduled to commence in March 2018, the AAP will deliver an accredited two-year agribusiness program through SBS in Nairobi, Zambia and South Africa for up to 25 students aged 20-30, leading to potential job opportunities within AGCO Africa. Going forward, the aim is to extend the programme and offer the course using remote and blended learning techniques.

“This is a strong business-oriented programme that will provide training in critical skills and develop leadership and strategic expertise to drive African agricultural prosperity,” Osman explains. “It underlines our approach to ensure Africa is run from Africa. Upon completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to be placed within the AGCO Africa organisation, thus providing excellent job prospects. It’s a win-win situation for all those involved.”

Dr George Njenga, Dean, Strathmore Business School said: “Through this partnership, we are confident that we have the capacity to meet the needs of the agricultural sector. The programme will integrate both theoretical and industrial relevance to addressing the current trends in the sector.”