About

Our Story

Rio Tinto Agricultural College began in 1979 as the Rio Tinto Farming and Building Centre, owned by the Rio Tinto Foundation. Initially, it operated as a farming and building training centre with a focus on developing employees of the Rio Tinto owned Empress Mine.

In 1982, Rio Tinto Foundation decided to discontinue building training programs and shifted its focus solely to farming.

In 1984, Rio Tinto Foundation handed over the institution to the Ministry of Agriculture. The name was changed from Rio Tinto Building and Farming Centre to Rio Tinto Agricultural Institute. Initially training male students only, the institute began admitting female students in 1993, promoting gender inclusivity in agricultural education. From 1984 to 1997, the institution offered certificates accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 1997, the institute underwent another transformation, becoming Rio Tinto Agricultural College. The college started offering diploma programs in agriculture, expanding its educational programs.

Since 2002, the certificates are accredited by Midlands State University, marking a shift in the accreditation process. Overall, Rio Tinto Agricultural College has evolved over the years, expanding its scope from a Farming and Building Centre to an Agricultural Institute and eventually to an Agricultural College with a diploma programme. The transition in accreditation from the Ministry of Agriculture to Midlands State University reflects a commitment to maintaining educational standards and aligning with higher education institutions