Corteva Agriscience is breaking new ground in developing future agricultural leaders through an impressive suite of training, bursary, internship and enterprise development initiatives. This is all aimed at transformation, innovation and sustainability.
For Corteva, investing in people is more than just good corporate citizenship. “It is a strategic imperative to build our pipeline of next-generation talent while advancing transformation, innovation and sustainability in agriculture,” says the global agricultural company.
Launched in 2022, Corteva’s flagship bursary programme is one such example. Targeting both undergraduate and postgraduate students, the initiative does more than just cover tuition, accommodation and textbooks. It provides hands-on work experience at key Corteva sites twice a year, exposing students to the cutting edge of agricultural research and development.
Each year, 15 to 20 students benefit from the programme, with 16 already confirmed for the 2025 intake. Aligned with AgriSETA’s priority skills list, the programme places special emphasis on attracting youth from underrepresented and rural communities. According to Corteva, students are introduced to real-world challenges and innovations in agriculture, actively cultivating their leadership potential.
Internships that lead to impact
Transitioning from classroom to career can be challenging, but Corteva is smoothing the path through its robust internship programme. Interns are placed alongside experts in disciplines such as crop health, seed production, marketing and research, allowing them to gain practical skills and exposure to global best practices.
Since its launch in 2021, the internship programme has welcomed more than 107 young professionals, including 21 new interns in 2025. The results speak for themselves: nearly a third have secured permanent positions within Corteva, and another 20% are now employed in the wider agricultural industry.
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Building skills from within
Corteva’s commitment to transformation doesn’t stop with external programmes. Internally, the company fosters a culture of continuous learning. Through structured learnerships, employees can pursue qualifications while remaining in their roles, ensuring they stay on the cutting edge of a fast-evolving, tech-driven agricultural landscape.
“These programmes are designed to build critical technical skills, prepare employees for leadership, and ensure that Corteva remains agile and competitive,” the company notes.
Boosting small enterprises
Transformation also extends into entrepreneurship. Through its enterprise and supplier development programme, Corteva supports small businesses, particularly growers and suppliers, helping them integrate into its value chain. One participant reportedly grew his revenue by more than 170% in just three years thanks to targeted mentorship and support.
Gauteng MEC for agriculture and rural development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, recently joined 30 top agricultural learners at Corteva’s Seed Applied Technologies Centre in Rosslyn. There, she got a first-hand look at the company’s comprehensive training and development strategy.
Ramokgopa praised Corteva for “effectively bridging academic learning with real-world exposure” and said the programme highlighted “diverse career opportunities across the agricultural value chain.” She described the visit as the beginning of “a meaningful partnership” and noted the importance of such initiatives in closing the gap between education and industry.
She also reminded learners that agriculture is much more than farming. “It includes careers in research, logistics, policy and entrepreneurship,” she said, urging the group to seize the opportunities presented through programmes like Corteva’s.
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