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in Farmer's Inside Track

Podcast: Agri SA Enterprises invests in rural development

Agri SA Enterprises' rural development team, led by Craig Murrell, empowers farmers nationwide. They tackle complex challenges by streamlining funding and investing in the future. They focus on the green economy, fostering employment, enterprise development, and empowering youth and women in agriculture

by Octavia Avesca Spandiel
4th February 2024
Craig Murrell, head of rural development and advisory services at Agri SA Enterprises. Photo: Food For Mzansi

Craig Murrell, head of rural development and advisory services at Agri SA Enterprises. Photo: Food For Mzansi

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Agri SA Enterprises’ rural development and advisory services division is dedicated to empowering farmers across the nation. Craig Murrell, the head of this division, delves into their mission’s objectives, priorities, and strategies.

Murrell emphasises the department’s commitment to addressing complex challenges in the industry by streamlining funding processes and investing in the future, encapsulated through their various business units.

“We believe in transforming economies through agriculture. Not that we want to make a farmer out of everyone. We want to work with the brothers and sisters and cousins of agriculture, the mining companies,” he explains.

Role in the green economy

He highlights the department’s significant efforts in establishing multiyear programmes across diverse business units, all centred on investing in the future. The primary focus is on the rural development division’s role in contributing to the green economy.

“The green economy is anything to do with waste, energy, water, and agriculture. We want to touch the green economy through agriculture. The programmes that we [at Agri SA Enterprises] focus on, were developed to focus on employment, enterprise development, youth empowerment, and women empowerment,” he shares.

In the episode, Murrell further discusses:

  • Their long-term targeted impact;
  • The current investment in tomorrow;
  • The pivotal role of women’s empowerment in their initiatives and more.

Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track. 

Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).

Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device. 

Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.

ALSO READ: Podcast: Land Bank’s asset insurance is the lifeline you need

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Octavia Avesca Spandiel

Raised by a close-knitted family who loves her deeply, Octavia believes in the philosophy of ‘I am because you are'. This former news and content editor for radio is now living her best life in the agricultural sector as a commercial journalist at Food For Mzansi. Her soft spot for poetry and passion for life, writing and traveling inspires her to write compelling stories. Apart from being an excellent writer, Octavia has an educational background in youth work and loves working with people. 

Tags: Agri EnterprisesAgricultural developmentCommercialising farmerFarmer’s Inside TrackPodcastTeach me
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