DUT’s Agri-Hub launch a huge success BY Simangele Zuma The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Midlands Entrepreneurship Centre and Student Desk in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA) hosted a virtual launch of their Agri-Hub via Microsoft Teams, on 24 February 2021. She said that the centre has further recruited 15 students with an interest in the agriculture field to use the space for practical learning and for growing their skills. Four local schools have also been adopted by the centre and are able to use the Agri-Hub, exposing the learners to practical experiences in agriculture. Ngcobo further explained that the Agri-Hub’s main objective is to promote participation in the agricultural sector as a sustainable vehicle for economic growth.
Professor Sibusiso Moyo speaking at the Agri-Hub launch.
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he event was facilitated by Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations at DUT, who commented that this was a momentous occasion for DUT as he applauded the partners that had come together to assist and ensure that this important initiative comes to full realisation. EDTEA has pledged a three-year partnership with DUT and committed an amount of R2 million towards the Agri-Hub. Giving more insight on the launch, DUT Midlands Entrepreneurship Centre and Student Desk Manager, Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo said the Agri-Hub seeks to build resilient and profitable agri-businesses within the Midlands area and the KwaZulu-Natal province at large. “The infrastructure for Phase One has now been completed and is located at the Indumiso Campus on a 700m² land. The hub has three 5m x 10m Greenhouse Tunnels that are currently being used to grow over 500 trees of cucumbers using a hydroponic system,” said Ngcobo. “The cucumbers have been carefully selected in line with the current market demand against product supply. A nursery has also been provided to grow cabbages, onions, carrots, garlic and spinach that will be sold to staff and nearby markets.”
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“The Agri-Hub aims to counteract issues of food security within the community of Imbali and outskirts,” added Ngcobo. “This programme is one of various programmes that the centre has initiated, including the One Home One Garden project where the centre provided over 150 seedlings to Greater Edendale community members in June 2020. The Centre is also determined that their partnership and collaborations, will assist their student-preneurs to build businesses that will thrive, and build an enduring legacy, once they exit into the external market upon the completion of training and exposure.” DUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Sibusiso Moyo spoke about DUT as an entrepreneurial university. “As South Africa, we know that currently the youth unemployment rate is very high,” commented Professor Moyo. “In our province itself we have a lot of challenges around youth unemployment. As the university is imbedded within our region, we want to contribute to skills training of our students. One of the key things we are focusing on is to ensure that our graduates and students become entrepreneurial and innovative before they graduate. For us, the Agri-Hub launch is very special, which is a testimony to the university together with our strategic partners. Like soldiers in a war, we remain resilient in our resolve to pursue the dream of productive participation in the development of our region, country and the world.” The DUT Midlands Campus Director, Dr Joe Molete said they have identified 10 hectares of land at Riverside Campus for commercial scale hydroponic tunnels, which is the second phase of the Agri-Hub. He said the great thing is that it is next to the Msunduzi River, where there’s plenty of water to help them produce more food.
