Agricultural Farm Manager Career in South Africa
Explore the official OFO occupation, common tasks, specialisations and approved South African qualification pathways.
Occupation overview
Plans, directs, and coordinates production in large scale agricultural and horticultural operations such as collective farms and agricultural co-operatives to grow and harvest crops.
What does a Agricultural Farm Manager do?
An Agricultural Farm Manager oversees production on a large-scale farm or agricultural co-operative. The work involves planning and coordinating growing, harvesting and other production activities, while directing the operation towards its production goals. The role may focus on crops, horticulture, livestock, dairy, sugar or mixed farming.
Specialisations
How to become a Agricultural Farm Manager in South Africa
- Build a strong understanding of agricultural production, including the type of farming in which you want to specialise.
- Gain practical experience in a farm or agricultural production environment and learn how day-to-day operations are organised.
- Develop supervisory and coordination experience by taking responsibility for people, activities and production schedules.
- Consider relevant agricultural education or training to strengthen your technical and management knowledge; the most suitable route depends on the employer and farming context.
- Choose a specialisation such as dairy, livestock, field vegetables, horticulture, sugar, agronomy or mixed farming if it matches your interests and experience to date profiles requiring greater responsibility. In management careers, relevant education can support entry, but progression through workplace experience and responsibility is also commonly important.
Edupstairs Preparation Guidance
There is no single universal qualification pathway for this management career. Relevant agricultural education can support preparation, while practical farm experience, increasing responsibility and knowledge of a particular type of production are also important. Confirm current education, provider and employer expectations with relevant agricultural training providers and employers.
Useful school subjects
- Agricultural Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Business Studies
Skills that may help
- Agricultural production knowledge
- Planning and coordination
- Farm operations management
- Leadership and supervision
- Decision-making
- Organisation and scheduling
- Problem-solving
- Communication