72 Research highlights in food and nutrition security The UFS successfully designed and produced mobile food carts to support rural entrepreneurs, especially women. These “business-in-a-box” units enable small-scale food production and sales using nixtamalised maize products. Ten carts are now in production, marking a major step toward sustainable micro-enterprise development in low-income communities. Human Capital Development Consortium The Human Capital Development (HCD) Consortium, under the Strategic Innovation Partnership for Grain and Oilseeds, continues to build South Africa’s agricultural research capacity and drive transformation in 2025. This year, it supported 23 individuals, 21 students (ten PhD, eight MSc, two Honours) and two technicians across eight institutions, focusing on key research areas such as Sclerotinia and disease diagnostics, weed science, crop improvement, and climate resilience field trials. Through collaboration with DSTI, TIA, and SACTA, the consortium also appointed two research assistants at the UFS for Sclerotinia work and contributed to the DSTI Mixed Farming Project, which maps grain production challenges and opportunities at provincial level. The consortium’s impact extends beyond training, with several participants now employed in organisations such as the ARC and SeedLink, highlighting its success in developing skilled professionals for the industry. By integrating bursary support, technical training, and project-based learning, the HCD Consortium is cultivating a diverse and future-ready workforce equipped to advance innovation, sustainability and resilience in South Africa’s grain industry. Cultivar evaluation trials MAIZE CULTIVAR EVALUATION TRIALS (MCET) Maize is cultivated across all nine provinces of South Africa, with the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West producing more than 80% of the national crop. On average, 2,5 million hectares are planted annually, making maize the country’s dominant summer grain. To support producers in selecting the best-performing cultivars for different climatic regions, Grain SA and the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR) implemented a project with seed companies to conduct annual, independent maize cultivar evaluation trials. Cultivars are coded for anonymity and planted in a scientifically designed and replicated layout, with data independently analysed by the ARC. The 2024/2025 season proved challenging due to early heat and drought followed by late rains, resulting in variable yields. Despite this, the trials continued to provide valuable insights into cultivar performance across South Africa’s eight maize-producing regions. Results from the season are available on https://sagrainmag.co.za/, the SA Graan/Grain magazine’s website. Strategic partnerships RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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