21 February 2024
By: Lebogang Mashala
The underfunding dilemma plaguing the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) could soon be a thing of the past if the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Thoko Didiza, follows through on her commitment to support and promote research and development.
In her opening statement at the recent joint conference on research and development hosted by the ARC and her department, Didiza reiterated the government’s determination to advance research and development in line with the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan.
With the theme “Transforming food systems through science”, the conference at the ARC’s Roodeplat campus highlighted the pivotal role of science and research in improving food security, safety, nutrition and production efficiency.
Didiza emphasised the need for the agriculture sector to grow in an inclusive manner, supported by cutting-edge research and innovation.
She also stressed the need for a worldwide transformation of food systems to ensure environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and socially just food production and distribution.
“The constantly evolving challenges of climate change, global conflicts, food waste and the emergence of new pests and diseases pose a threat to the traditional ways of producing, storing and distributing food,” she said.
“Therefore, research and development can help generate new technologies and create high-yielding, nutrient-dense, drought-tolerant crop varieties and animal breeds that can increase production while using minimal land and inputs.”
Dr Litha Magingxa, president and CEO of the ARC, said the conference was long overdue and the collaboration between the ARC and the department was not optional. He added that the conference showcased the work the ARC is doing to transform food systems and allowed it to engage with stakeholders and partners.
Magingxa expressed optimism about the ARC’s underfunding challenges. In the minister’s opening address, he said, she emphasised her renewed commitment to support agricultural research and some progress had already been made in this regard.
He said the conference was a demonstration of an improved commitment and a strengthening of the relationship to work together in prioritising sufficient resources to support the ARC in delivering on its mandate.
Dipepenene Serage, deputy director-general for agricultural production, biosecurity and natural resources management, said the conference was the first of its kind. Since 1990, when the ARC broke away from the department and became independent, such an event had never been held.
Serage said they plan to have the conference at least every second year, bringing together the best scientists to review their work, assess its impact and propose improvements.
Research is at the centre of policy development, said Serage. “Therefore, every policy or regulatory decision we make must be informed by research. Any successful nation uses data and research to plan ahead and this is what South Africa needs to do.”
He said the ARC had been neglected for a long time but the department had decided to ensure research takes top priority. “We are working with the minister, who is set to outline research priorities for the country in the upcoming budget speech. We will also work closely with private researchers to ensure we always have our finger on the pulse.”
Didiza stressed the importance of collaboration and partnership in research. She said it was vital for collaboration to extend to academia, the industry and other institutions to ensure the knowledge generated could be shared among all farmers, from subsistence to commercial.
