The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) has opened applications for its 2026 Agricultural Graduate Internship and Placement Programme under Vacancy Circular No. 03 of 2026.
This province-wide initiative offers 135 paid placements for unemployed agricultural graduates who need practical, farm-based experience while earning a monthly stipend of R7 860,50.
The programme will run across the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years, placing graduates on working farms and agricultural projects throughout Limpopo.
Programme Snapshot
- Employer: Limpopo Provincial Government – LDARD
- Programme Type: Internship / Graduate Placement
- Number of Opportunities: 135
- Contract Duration: Up to 24 months (fixed-term)
- Monthly Stipend: R7 860,50
- Province: Limpopo
- Closing Date: 13 February 2026 at 16:00
Purpose of the Programme
This programme is designed to move graduates out of classrooms and into real agricultural environments. Interns are placed on operational farms where they gain hands-on experience in:
- Crop production
- Livestock management
- Citrus and subtropical farming
- Poultry operations
- Mixed farming systems
- Agricultural marketing and farm planning
This is a practical development programme, not a desk-based internship.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
Minimum Qualification
- Grade 12 (Matric), plus
- A SAQA-recognised NQF Level 6 or higher qualification (Diploma or Degree) in Agriculture or a related discipline
Priority & Disqualification Rules
- Must be unemployed
- Preference given to Limpopo residents
- Applicants must be first-time participants in a government internship
- Applicants who previously held a PERSAL-linked internship for 12 months or more will be disqualified
Equity Targets
- 80% youth (18–35 years)
- 20% candidates aged 36–40
- 50–55% women
- 3% persons with disabilities
Additional Conditions
- No private studies allowed during the programme
- Willingness to work irregular or extended hours
- Contract may not exceed 24 months
- Placement is based on district of residence and departmental needs
What Interns Will Be Doing
Participants will gain direct farm exposure, including:
- Assisting with day-to-day farm operations
- Crop scouting, inspections, and monitoring
- Livestock health support, dipping, and dosing
- Animal identification and farm records
- Spraying operations and production activities
- Packaging, loading, and off-loading produce
- Supporting agricultural marketing initiatives
- Identifying new market opportunities
- Supervising workers and assisting with farm plans
This programme delivers real agricultural work experience, not simulations.
District-Based Placement Opportunities
Applicants must apply only in their district of residence and use the correct reference number.
- Sekhukhune District – LDARD SEKH1/1/2026
(Citrus, crops, livestock, subtropical and table grape farms) - Mopani District – LDARD MOP2/1/2026
(Citrus estates, crop farms, agri-investment projects) - Vhembe District – LDARD VHE3/1/2026
(Subtropical crops and mixed farming enterprises) - Waterberg District – LDARD WAT4/1/2026
(Poultry, crop production, animal farming, agricultural schools) - Capricorn District – LDARD CAP5/1/2026
(Crop, citrus, and animal production farms)
How to Apply Correctly
Follow these steps carefully to avoid disqualification:
- Prepare an agriculture-focused CV
- Attach certified copies of:
- South African ID
- Qualifications
- Academic transcript
- Proof of residence (recommended)
- Proof of unemployment (optional)
- Use the correct district reference number
- Submit before 13 February 2026 at 16:00
Application Submission Addresses
- Mopani: Private Bag X577, Giyani 0826 OR Old Parliamentary Building, Giyani
- Waterberg: Private Bag X1048, Modimolle 0510 OR NTK Building, Modimolle
- Capricorn: Private Bag X28, Chuenespoort 0745 OR Block 28, Lebowakgomo
- Sekhukhune: Private Bag X01, Chuenespoort 0745 OR Block 27, Lebowakgomo
- Vhembe: Private Bag X2247, Sibasa 0970 OR Makwarela Government Offices
Why This Programme Matters
This is one of the largest agricultural graduate placement programmes in Limpopo for 2026, offering:
- Paid work experience for up to 24 months
- Exposure to multiple farming systems
- Practical skills demanded by employers
- A stable monthly income while gaining experience
For agricultural graduates struggling to enter the industry, this programme provides a critical career bridge.