In the future, students of agricultural science will not only need to understand agricultural production processes well. Data processing and verification as well as artificial intelligence (AI) will also be important components of their studies.
By Alani Janeke, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Quantitative skills, including being able to process data from different fields and use it in specifically agricultural science, will become increasingly important for students who want to enter this field of study.
Prof. Kennedy Dzama, the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University (SU), says the advent of AI has broadened the field of agricultural science and students will have to learn how to integrate it into their studies and work.
The university announced this week that Dzama, who has been working at the university since 2006, is the successor to Prof. Danie Brink, Dean of the faculty. Brink will retire at the end of the year after. Dzama will take up his new position from 1 January 2026.
Known as a pioneer in animal breeding, genetics and sustainable agriculture, Dzama is internationally recognised for his pioneering research on animal genetic resources in Africa, particularly in the areas of parasite resistance, climate-resilient livestock systems and sustainable animal production. His work has had a profound impact on the understanding and conservation of animal genetic resources in Africa.
Genetics And Resistance In African Cattle Breeds
In an interview with Alani Janeke, Dzama explained that his research has specifically focused on parasite control in cattle and, to some extent, sheep. Some of the cattle breeds he has studied include Nguni, Angus, Bonsmara and Hereford.
His research has focused on which genetics African cattle breeds, such as Nguni, have that make them more resistant to certain ticks in contrast to breeds such as the Angus cattle breed, which is originally from Scotland. The focus is on how these genetics can be used to make all cattle breeds more resistant locally.
Dzama started his career by obtaining a BSc Agriculture Honours degree in Animal Science from the University of Zimbabwe, followed by MSc and PhD degrees in Animal Breeding and Genetics from Texas A&M University in the USA. Before joining SU, he held senior academic positions at the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Fort Hare.
