- Corporate Social Investment (CSI)
- Graduate Development
- Smallholder Farmer Development
Corporate Social Investment (CSI)
The PPECB is committed to the upliftment of the communities and sectors in which it operates and to making a noticeable impact on society.
As such the organisation's CSI programme seeks to initiate and participate in projects that are external to normal business activities and not directly for purposes of increasing organisational revenue. In line with this the PPECB has launched several initiatives which seek to contribute to the betterment of general society, whether financially or in kind.
This programme includes partnerships aimed at the establishment of food gardens in vulnerable communities and schools. To ensure the sustainability of these gardens, the programme includes training in food gardening as well as an introduction to waste management. For more information on the beneficiaries of this programme, please consult the Human Capital report in the PPECB's latest Annual Report here.
Another area in which the PPECB attempts to make an impact is the sponsorship of industry related events which highlight the dedication and exemplarily performance of those in the agricultural sector. We firmly believe that an industry cannot flourish without the dedication of its workforce and welcome opportunities to highlight those who make a difference in the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the PPECB is proud to host an annual charity golf day which seeks to raise funds for those less fortunate. Each year the beneficiary is selected by the PPECB's main sponsor with a minimum donation of R50 000 given each year.
As such the organisation's CSI programme seeks to initiate and participate in projects that are external to normal business activities and not directly for purposes of increasing organisational revenue. In line with this the PPECB has launched several initiatives which seek to contribute to the betterment of general society, whether financially or in kind.
This programme includes partnerships aimed at the establishment of food gardens in vulnerable communities and schools. To ensure the sustainability of these gardens, the programme includes training in food gardening as well as an introduction to waste management. For more information on the beneficiaries of this programme, please consult the Human Capital report in the PPECB's latest Annual Report here.
Another area in which the PPECB attempts to make an impact is the sponsorship of industry related events which highlight the dedication and exemplarily performance of those in the agricultural sector. We firmly believe that an industry cannot flourish without the dedication of its workforce and welcome opportunities to highlight those who make a difference in the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the PPECB is proud to host an annual charity golf day which seeks to raise funds for those less fortunate. Each year the beneficiary is selected by the PPECB's main sponsor with a minimum donation of R50 000 given each year.
Graduate Development
The PPECB continues to contribute to the socio-economic transformation of the agricultural sector by offering work exposure for unemployed graduates
The PPECB hosts an Agri-Export Technologist Programme (AETP) in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) and is aimed at supporting graduates who were not able to find permanent employment. This is a 12-month learnership programme that awards participants a National Certificate in Perishable Produce Export Technology. Upon completion of the AET Programme, the learners are included in the PPECB's Talent pools for the inspectorate opportunities; thereby also supporting further employment prospects.
In addition, the PPECB is committed to creating and maintaining a representative workforce and as such encourages the creation of opportunities for employment of persons with disability. The PPECB People Living with Disabilities program is aimend at providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to obtain relevant work experience in administrative roles for a period of 12 months.
Lastly, the PPECB also participates in AgriSETA's internship programme, which also supports unemployed graduates, placing them at the PPECB to gain valuable work experience in Human Resources (HR), Finance, Internal Audit, Legal and Corporate Communications. The internship is a 12- to 18-month programme, after which the candidates have a good chance of being placed at the PPECB if relevant vacancies become available.
The PPECB hosts an Agri-Export Technologist Programme (AETP) in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) and is aimed at supporting graduates who were not able to find permanent employment. This is a 12-month learnership programme that awards participants a National Certificate in Perishable Produce Export Technology. Upon completion of the AET Programme, the learners are included in the PPECB's Talent pools for the inspectorate opportunities; thereby also supporting further employment prospects.
In addition, the PPECB is committed to creating and maintaining a representative workforce and as such encourages the creation of opportunities for employment of persons with disability. The PPECB People Living with Disabilities program is aimend at providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to obtain relevant work experience in administrative roles for a period of 12 months.
Lastly, the PPECB also participates in AgriSETA's internship programme, which also supports unemployed graduates, placing them at the PPECB to gain valuable work experience in Human Resources (HR), Finance, Internal Audit, Legal and Corporate Communications. The internship is a 12- to 18-month programme, after which the candidates have a good chance of being placed at the PPECB if relevant vacancies become available.
Smallholder Farmer Development
The PPECB's Development Unit is committed to equipping previously disadvantaged individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to help them enter the perishable products export value chain and to create more jobs as a result of increased exports.
One of government's top priorities is the development of smallholder farmers as an instrument to stimulate growth within the South African agricultural sector. Aligning with government's vision, the PPECB established its Development Unit in 2013.
The unit works with various organisations and the DALRRD provincial departments to develop smallholder farmers to gain greater market access and thereby improve their profitability and sustainability as agri-businesses. Although the unit's primary focus is on building capacity among smallholder farmers, the PPECB's development initiatives extend far beyond that.
A smallholder farmer or producer is defined as a producer that produces at primary, secondary and tertiary levels for household consumption and markets. Therefore, farming is consciously undertaken to meet the needs of households and derive a source of income.
These are usually the new entrants aspiring to produce for the market at a profit with a maximum annual turnover of R5 million. The PPECB smallholder farmer development programme focuses on training and upskilling smallholder farmers from designated groups to see them graduate from subsistence to to commercial farming.
In addition to the above, the PPECB offers an Export Readiness and Market Access programme via key partnerships. The market access development programme enables the delegates to produce a business plan and be coached over a three-year period to implement it successfully. These smallholder farmers are then able to produce for market needs and run their farms as a business.
One of government's top priorities is the development of smallholder farmers as an instrument to stimulate growth within the South African agricultural sector. Aligning with government's vision, the PPECB established its Development Unit in 2013.
The unit works with various organisations and the DALRRD provincial departments to develop smallholder farmers to gain greater market access and thereby improve their profitability and sustainability as agri-businesses. Although the unit's primary focus is on building capacity among smallholder farmers, the PPECB's development initiatives extend far beyond that.
A smallholder farmer or producer is defined as a producer that produces at primary, secondary and tertiary levels for household consumption and markets. Therefore, farming is consciously undertaken to meet the needs of households and derive a source of income.
These are usually the new entrants aspiring to produce for the market at a profit with a maximum annual turnover of R5 million. The PPECB smallholder farmer development programme focuses on training and upskilling smallholder farmers from designated groups to see them graduate from subsistence to to commercial farming.
In addition to the above, the PPECB offers an Export Readiness and Market Access programme via key partnerships. The market access development programme enables the delegates to produce a business plan and be coached over a three-year period to implement it successfully. These smallholder farmers are then able to produce for market needs and run their farms as a business.