Hiring Now | Farm Foreman | Middelburg, Eastern Cape | Permanent Government Position Available

The Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI), a directorate of the Department of Agriculture, is inviting applications for a permanent Farm Foreman position based in Middelburg, Eastern Cape. This is a government post at salary level 05, offering a structured annual salary and the opportunity to contribute to the management and execution of crop production trials, farm maintenance, and administrative functions at one of South Africa’s leading agricultural research institutes. If you hold a Grade 12 certificate, have at least 2 years of experience in managing agronomic and horticultural crop trials, and hold a valid driver’s licence, apply without delay.

Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply today.

Job Overview

Detail	Information
Job Title	Farm Foreman
Reference Number	3/3/1/34/2026
Directorate	Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI)
Department	Department of Agriculture
Job Type	Permanent
Salary	R237 453 per annum (Level 05)
Location	Middelburg, Eastern Cape
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

What Does a Farm Foreman Do?

The Farm Foreman at GADI occupies a supervisory and operational role at the heart of the institute’s crop trials and farm maintenance programme. GADI is a nationally significant agricultural research and development facility, and the Farm Foreman is responsible for organising, supervising, and actively participating in all activities related to crop production trials, grounds and infrastructure maintenance, and general routine farm operations.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited to an experienced, practically minded agricultural professional who can manage people and tasks across multiple operational areas simultaneously. You will work with a team of farm workers, overseeing activities ranging from soil preparation, planting, irrigation, and harvesting of trials to the maintenance of fences, roads, greenhouses, cold rooms, and irrigation systems. Beyond fieldwork, you will also be responsible for ensuring that all relevant farm records, inventory registers, HR documentation, and administrative reports are accurately maintained and submitted on time.

The ideal candidate combines practical farming knowledge with supervisory ability, planning discipline, and a strong commitment to safety standards. A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the management of agronomic and horticultural crop trials is required, along with a sound understanding of farm equipment, farming practices, and store management. A valid driver’s licence is also an essential requirement.

Please note: This is a government position within the Department of Agriculture. All application procedures — including hand delivery and email submission with the correct reference number — must be followed precisely. Applications that do not comply with the specified submission requirements may be disqualified.

Key Responsibilities

Crop Production Trial Management

• Organise, supervise, and actively assist with the full spectrum of crop production activities across all agronomic and horticultural trials at the GADI facility.
• Oversee and participate in field identification activities to correctly locate and prepare areas designated for specific trials.
• Manage soil cultivation and preparation operations, ensuring fields are correctly prepared in line with trial requirements and research objectives.
• Supervise and assist with the sowing and planting of all trials, ensuring correct seed placement, spacing, and planting procedures are followed.
• Manage irrigation of trials, ensuring all crops receive appropriate water at the correct intervals in line with trial protocols and prevailing conditions.
• Organise and oversee both manual and mechanical weed control activities to protect trial integrity and crop health.
• Supervise and assist with the harvesting of produce from trials, ensuring correct harvesting methods are applied and all produce is correctly handled and recorded post-harvest.

Grounds & Infrastructure Maintenance

• Organise, supervise, and assist with all general maintenance activities across GADI’s grounds and built infrastructure.
• Oversee the maintenance of fences, including inspection, repair, and replacement of damaged sections to ensure the security and integrity of the facility perimeter.
• Manage the maintenance of hail shelter structures, ensuring they are functional, structurally sound, and in compliance with safety standards.
• Supervise road maintenance activities across the institute’s internal road network, including grading, pothole repairs, and drainage management.
• Oversee the maintenance of buildings, stores, greenhouses, and cold rooms, ensuring all structures are kept in a safe, clean, and functional condition.
• Manage the maintenance of irrigation systems, including pipelines, pump stations, drip lines, and related infrastructure across the facility.

General Routine Farm Operations

• Organise, supervise, and assist with general routine activities required for the safe and efficient day-to-day operation of the GADI farm.
• Manage firefighting and fire prevention activities, ensuring all fire prevention measures are in place and that the team is prepared to respond effectively to fire incidents.
• Oversee the cleaning of all facilities within the Farm Foreman’s area of responsibility, maintaining hygiene and presentation standards at all times.
• Manage the disposal of farm waste material in accordance with applicable environmental standards and waste management procedures.
• Ensure the care and maintenance of all farm equipment, including regular cleaning, oiling, sharpening, and reporting of any defects or damage.
• Supervise the cleaning and washing of vehicles used in farm operations, ensuring all vehicles are maintained in a clean and roadworthy condition.
• Oversee loading and off-loading activities related to farm produce, supplies, and equipment as required.

Administrative & Record-Keeping Functions

• Ensure proper recording and filing of all relevant farm records and farm inventory (equipment), including the timeous completion and submission of farm inventory status reports.
• Complete and submit loss and damage reports to the relevant office whenever assets are lost or damaged, in accordance with departmental reporting requirements.
• Maintain an up-to-date register of all losses of assets and tools used for farm operations.
• Ensure proper recording and submission of all relevant HR records, including leave records, performance agreements, personnel attendance registers, and exit interview documentation.
• Support the management of performance agreements and related HR administrative requirements for farm staff within the supervisory scope of the role.

Minimum Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Senior Certificate or equivalent — minimum requirement.
• Any additional agricultural, horticultural, or farm management qualification will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the management of agronomic and horticultural crop trials — essential.
• Demonstrated experience in a farm supervisory or foreman role will be a strong advantage.
• Prior exposure to government or institutional farm management is beneficial.

Licences

• Valid driver’s licence — essential; non-negotiable for this role.

Technical Skills

• Practical knowledge of soil cultivation, planting, irrigation, weed control, and harvesting techniques applicable to agronomic and horticultural trials.
• Ability to operate and maintain a range of farm equipment safely and effectively.
• Competence in farm inventory management and record-keeping.
• Understanding of store management procedures within a farm or government facility context.

Knowledge Requirements

• Farming practices — comprehensive working knowledge of crop production and farm operations.
• Farm equipment — sound understanding of the correct use, care, and maintenance of equipment used in agronomic and horticultural environments.
• Safety standards — knowledge of applicable occupational health, safety, and farm safety requirements.
• Management of stores — understanding of store management principles including receiving, issuing, and recording of farm supplies and materials.

Skills & Competencies

• Organising skills — ability to plan and coordinate multiple farm activities and teams simultaneously.
• Planning skills — forward-thinking approach to seasonal farm operations, trial scheduling, and maintenance activities.
• Team building — ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of farm workers effectively.
• Problem solving — identifies operational challenges and implements practical, timely solutions.
• Administrative competence — accurate and thorough in all record-keeping, reporting, and HR documentation requirements.

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on and practically minded — leads from the front and participates actively in farm operations.
• Reliable and responsible — takes full ownership of the farm operations and records within their area of supervision.
• Safety-conscious — applies and enforces safety standards consistently across all farm activities.
• Well-organised — manages time, people, and resources efficiently in a multi-activity farm environment.

Core Values

Agricultural Excellence

GADI is one of South Africa’s most established agricultural research and development institutions. The Farm Foreman plays a direct role in supporting the quality and integrity of the institute’s crop trials — work that contributes to agricultural knowledge and food production capability at a national level. Every planting, every irrigation decision, and every harvest must be executed with the care and precision that scientific research demands.

Safety & Compliance

Farm environments carry inherent risks — from equipment operation and chemical handling to fire prevention and infrastructure maintenance. The Farm Foreman is expected to model and enforce safety standards at all times, ensuring that every team member operates within the applicable health and safety framework and that no activity is carried out in a way that endangers people, animals, or property.

Team Leadership & Development

The Farm Foreman is a supervisor first and a labourer second. Leading a team of farm workers effectively — setting clear expectations, building capability, solving problems on the ground, and maintaining morale during demanding seasonal periods — is as important as technical agricultural knowledge. GADI expects its Farm Foreman to invest in the people under their supervision.

Administrative Accountability

Government farm operations require meticulous record-keeping. From farm inventory registers and asset loss reports to HR records and leave documentation, the Farm Foreman carries administrative accountability that extends well beyond the field. Accurate, timeous, and thorough record-keeping is not optional — it is a core component of the role and a legal obligation within the public service.

Commitment to the Institute’s Mission

GADI exists to advance agricultural research, development, and training in South Africa. Every Farm Foreman who maintains the institute’s trials, infrastructure, and equipment with care and professionalism is contributing directly to that mission. GADI expects its Farm Foreman to understand and take pride in the broader purpose their role serves within the national agricultural system.

Career Growth Opportunities

A permanent government position at GADI provides a stable platform for career development within the Department of Agriculture:

• Farm Foreman → Senior Farm Foreman / Senior Foreman (Higher Grade)
• Senior Farm Foreman → Farm Manager / Agricultural Production Manager
• Farm Manager → Agricultural Specialist / Station Manager
• Station Manager → Directorate Manager / Deputy Director: Agricultural Operations

Your career path is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What salary will I earn as a Farm Foreman at GADI? The position is remunerated at R237 453 per annum (salary level 05) in terms of the government salary scale. This is a fixed government salary applicable to this level, and it may be complemented by applicable government benefits. The salary is not negotiable.

What experience is required to apply for this Farm Foreman post? A minimum of 2 years’ experience in the management of agronomic and horticultural crop trials is required. This is an essential requirement — general farm work experience without specific trial management exposure is unlikely to meet the shortlisting criteria. Experience in a supervisory capacity on a farm or at an agricultural research facility will be a significant advantage.

Is a driver’s licence required for this position? Yes. A valid driver’s licence is listed as an essential requirement for this role. Candidates who do not hold a valid driver’s licence will not meet the minimum requirements and should not apply.

How do I apply, and what must I include in my application? Applications can be submitted either by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002, or by email to FFrecruit34@nda.gov.za. All applications must quote reference number 3/3/1/34/2026. Ensure your application includes all required supporting documentation as prescribed by the Department of Agriculture’s application requirements.

Who can I contact for enquiries about this position? For enquiries about this vacancy, contact Mr Thabo Molekwa on Tel: (049) 802 6633.

Is there a closing date for applications? The post does not specify a formal closing date in the available information. Candidates are strongly urged to apply as soon as possible, as government vacancies typically close quickly and late applications are generally not accepted. Contact Mr Thabo Molekwa on (049) 802 6633 to confirm the current application deadline before submitting.

How to Apply

Ready to apply for this permanent government Farm Foreman position at GADI in Middelburg? Applications are open now. Quote reference number 3/3/1/34/2026 in all correspondence.

👉 Email: FFrecruit34@nda.gov.za

🏢 Hand Delivery (office hours only): 20 Steve Biko Street Agriculture Place Arcadia, Pretoria 0002

📞 Mr Thabo Molekwa – Tel: (049) 802 6633

Please quote reference number 3/3/1/34/2026 in all correspondence and on your application submission.

Applications submitted by hand must be delivered during office hours only. Applications received outside of office hours will not be accepted.

Late applications will not be considered. Government vacancies close quickly — apply immediately.

Apply early — government vacancies close quickly.

Explore More Jobs

👉 Browse All Government Agricultural Jobs in South Africa 2026 👉 Farm Foreman & Supervisor Vacancies in the Eastern Cape 2026 👉 Department of Agriculture Jobs – Apply Now 👉 Permanent Government Jobs in Middelburg Eastern Cape 2026 👉 Agricultural Research & Production Jobs in South Africa – Hiring Now

Post last updated: 2026 | Keywords: farm foreman jobs 2026, GADI vacancies Eastern Cape, Department of Agriculture jobs South Africa, Middelburg Eastern Cape government jobs, farm foreman vacancy 2026, agronomic crop trials foreman, government agricultural jobs Eastern Cape, Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute careers, permanent government farm jobs 2026, farm supervisor jobs Eastern Cape, horticultural crop trials jobs South Africa, level 05 government jobs 2026