Building the Next Generation of South African Citrus | Ep. 161

More than 400 young people have been supported through the Citrus Academy Bursary Fund over the past 20 years – but Jacomien de Klerk says the real objective has never simply been to help students obtain qualifications.It is about building careers and developing people who can make a long-term contribution to South Africa’s citrus industry.Recorded at the 2026 CRI Citrus Research Symposium, Jacomien joins Lucentlands Podcast hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie to discuss the development and impact of the Citrus Academy, its bursary programme and the wider initiatives being used to introduce young South Africans to opportunities across the citrus value chain.Since the bursary fund was established in 2006, more than 1,000 bursaries representing over R26 million in investment have been awarded. Jacomien says approximately 95% of funded students have completed the qualifications for which they received support, while around two-thirds remain involved in the broader agricultural industry.She explains why financial support alone is not enough. Citrus Academy students are given opportunities for vacation work, internships, graduate placements, industry events and additional training so that they can understand how their academic studies connect with the commercial realities of agriculture.The conversation also looks at the Citrus Secondary Programme, which is introducing high-school learners in citrus-producing regions to citrus production and the wider value chain. Around 19 schools and approximately 600 learners are currently participating.Jacomien also discusses the growing Citrus Student Community, which now has more than 2,000 members and extends access to training, work experience, networking and other Citrus Academy opportunities beyond students who receive bursaries.Topics include:• 20 years of the Citrus Academy Bursary Fund• More than 400 students supported through the fund• Over R26 million invested and more than 1,000 bursaries awarded• A 95% qualification completion rate• Building careers rather than simply funding qualifications• Internships, vacation work and graduate placement• Bringing young people into agricultural careers• The Citrus Secondary Programme in citrus-producing regions• Exposing school learners to farms, packhouses and nurseries• The Citrus Student Community and its 2,000+ members• Succession and transformation in South African citrus• Developing the next generation of researchers, growers and industry professionals• The need for additional industry partners to support bursary fundingFor Jacomien, sustainable human-resource development starts with creating the opportunity – and then giving people the support, exposure and industry connections they need to make something of it.Connect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lucentlandspodcastSupport this podcast by buying us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lucentlands?new=1This podcast is proudly sponsored by Agrarius. Find out more: ⁠https://www.agrarius.co.za/?ref=recR9vP8u5CYfEOek&utm_source=lucentlands&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LucentLandsPromo⁠Visit our agricultural stock site: https://lucentlands.smugmug.com/