Students have a future in agriculture

The combined PNGHS and PNBHS team (from left); Isabella Patrick, Sophie Brokenshire, Rebecca Rowe, Harrison Ward and Daniel Davidson.

The need to engage young people in the agriculture industry at an earlier stage was a key finding at the NZAgInvest Youth Day held at Massey University last week.

Four groups of high performing accounting, economics and business high school students were individually selected for the Agribusiness Scholarship Programme, which allowed them to experience the industry from a real-life perspective.

Students were taken to a variety of agribusiness sites to interact with experts and young professionals from the likes of FMG, ASB, PGG Wrightson, NZX Agri, Fonterra and Massey University.

The NZAgInvest Youth Day was the final step in the Agribusiness Scholarship Programme where students used these experiences to deliver presentations to the Primary Industry Capability Alliance (PICA).

These focused on how alliance members could engage young people and encourage them into the industry.

The Ministry of Primary Industries has identified by 2025 the agriculture sector will need to employ 50,000 more people, with around half of them requiring a level four NCEA qualification or higher.

However, students found the perception of agriculture being 'farming-only' was a barrier to seeing the industry as a viable option.

Palmerston North Girls High student Sophie Brokenshire has a strong interest in law but had never considered it could translate to a career in agriculture.

"This experience has shown me there is definitely a place for law in agriculture. I'm excited to know I can maintain my passion while entering an industry that's growing and creating jobs."

All teams identified a need for the industry to target high school students in Year 9 or 10, so they are better able to streamline their subjects towards agriculture.

"Now we know how many directions you can take, I'm definitely more interested," Sophie said. "I think if kids were to see all the options and the jobs available, they would be far more inclined to work towards a career in agriculture."

Agmardt trustee Barry Brook was on the judging panel and said the information students provided was invaluable.

"This has really made us think more seriously about how the engagement level needs to be active at a much younger age. Young people get hooked on something and what we need to ask is 'how do we get them hooked on this industry early enough?'"