11 February 1997 Careers advisers urged to promote agricultural opportunities among top students

School careers advisers should encourage more top level students to pursue careers in agriculture, say rural leaders taking part in the 14th Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme at Lincoln University.

Top students are being advised against aspiring to careers in agriculture, they say.

This is occurring despite the fact that agriculture is New Zealand's most important industry with employment opportunities ranging from research and development through marketing and information services to production itself.

The 24 participants in the latest Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme include science, commerce and agriculture graduates who have gone on to become consultants, managers and directors as well as owners of agricultural enterprises.

"Opportunities abound within the rural sector for those with vision, communication skills and determination to succeed," says Dr Alastair McArthur, Director of the Kellogg Programme.

Lincoln University's Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme started in 1979 and is the country's top rural leadership training programme. Many of its graduates occupy top positions in national politics, farmer politics, local authority and community affairs and rural sector businesses.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand