Days of research for sake of research long gone

In a session that specifically focused on the research and development needs of the nine provinces during the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s joint conference north of Pretoria recently, it became clear that although there were some specific needs, there were many similar needs with regard to the priorities and key challenges.

- Magda du Toit

According to the presentations from the various provinces, a few of the common challenges facing the provinces are climate change, natural disasters, soil degradation and soil loss, access to markets, mining, production risks, operating in silos and lack of coordination, and water availability and quality.