ABOVE:
LeratoBaloyi,
anagricultural
equipment
technician,says
a technician’sjob
hasbecomemore
complicateddue
toanincreasein
thecomplexityof
farmequipment.
DeneneerasmusI now try to just focus on doing
the job well, instead of worrying
about impressing anyone.
When I do the training, my
focus is on making certain that
the trainees walk out of class
with new information. Even if
they learn only one new thing,
that’s already a job well done.
What changes have
younoticedinthe
sectoroverthe
years,andhoWdo
youkeepupWith
the ever-changing
and more complex
technology?
There are more young people in
the farming industry now, but
we need even greater numbers.
I’m fascinated by machines,
and having to evolve with
the technology in agriculture
is mind-blowing. It moves
at a fast pace, with changes
taking place every day.
Electronic systems and
controllers are now standard
on new agricultural equipment,
and are adapted to existing
equipment. New, specialised
diagnostic and testing tools,
such as laptop computers
and engine analysis units,
are used, and there’s a trend
towards remote diagnostics
tools. The continuously
variable transmission is also
becoming popular because it
increases machine efficiency
and engine performance, and
decreases fuel consumption.
More and more clients are
investing in larger, quicker, more
sophisticated, multipurpose
equipment, and there’s also
greater diversification in the
industry. All this makes the
technician’s job more complex.
Farming has become more
efficient through the use
of precision equipment.
This has led to increased
training requirements
for technicians. With the
constant changes, training
needs to happen regularly.
The good news is that new
technology also assists with
gettingtrainingonline.Thanks
toquickaccess,peoplecan
betrainedona dailybasis.WhatadviceWould
yougivetoothers
Who are keen to
pursue this career?
It’s all about passion. I can only
speak about my experience as a
black woman. Many of us come
from a background where we
aren’t really exposed to certain
careers because of the stereotypes
attached to the agriculture
sector. Many [women] don’t
want to participate, fearing that
because it’s so male-dominated,
they might feel intimidated.
If you’re in this position,
I suggest you become more
knowledgeable, and continue
developing your skills as you
grow in the industry. Over time,
you’ll grow more confident. It’s
still a man’s world out there,
but women need to build up the
courage to stand alongside men
if this career is their passion.In the beginning, I almost
didn’t take this opportunity
because of the environment
in which I was going to work.
But I’m grateful to those
people who believed in me
and encouraged me to persist.
Sometimes we know the
direction we want to take, but
we get sidetracked. Having
encouragement and a push in
the right direction also helps.Whatcanthesector
dotoattract
moreWomen?
I think the industry needs to
act more proactively to give
women an opportunity to be
exposed to the industry and
the opportunities it offers.
I knewnothingabouttractors
untilI startedworkingat
JohnDeere.Itwould be
wonderful to have more
women in the sector. I believe
I’ve helped to pave the way.- Email Lerato Baloyi at
[email protected]. ▪FW
9 August 2019 farmer’sweekly 33