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www.nampo.co.zaLANDBOU-ALGEMEEN
NAMPO 2018
Advertorial
The ARC committed
to food and nutrition security
SELLO TSHIPI,
Agricultural Research Council
T
he Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is a premier science institution
that conducts research with partners, develops human capital and
fosters innovation to support and develop the agricultural sector. Our
strategic objective is to improve research competitiveness in South Africa
and to be a leading knowledge hub to all our agricultural stakeholders.
As a public entity, the ARC confirms its commitment to the principles
of transparency, integrity and accountability as advocated in the
King III report on corporate governance. For success, South African
agriculture relies on effective agricultural
researches and innovations by scientists and
interactive exchanges with producers,
including large commercial producers
and resource poor communities.
Food and nutrition security is an
essential element of a develop-
mental society that depends on
ensuring increased agricultural
production. Agricultural research
endeavours to provide produc-
ers with knowledge, and supports
sustainable farming which can provide good quality food at a reason-
able price. This is the mandate of the ARC.
The critical factor for sufficient food and nutrition is attaining high yield in
agricultural production. However, good yield potential can be adversely
affected by climatic changes, which in turn can result in low production
with dire consequences for food and nutrition security. The change in
climatic conditions has highlighted the risk producers experience, espe-
cially in the absence of sufficient rain. While irrigation may be a solution
in the absence of sufficient rain, it has proven to be costly and therefore
few can benefit.
It is against this background that the ARC provides diagnostic and
analytical services for identification of good agricultural practice,
as well as the elimination of bad ones. The effectiveness of the
ARC’s scientific, diagnostic and analytical services must continue
to provide significant information to producers who in turn pro-
vide food and nutrition security.
The ARC also provides scientific services to enable income gen-
eration in the agricultural sector. Income generation among small
enterprises is an important mechanism towards economic growth,
poverty alleviation and sustainable agricultural development.
Human resources remains the most critical driver for success in and
sustainable impact on the agricultural sector. To mitigate the lack of
critical skills in South Africa, the ARC continues to invest sustainably
in the training and development of its employees. The development
of students is largely achieved through direct supervision and
mentorship by the ARC research scientists in collaboration
with partners at various universities.
The ARC remains committed to working with all part-
ners in the agricultural sector to seek solutions that will
improve yields and enable resistance to pests and dis-
eases as well as adverse effects of climate change,
such as extreme heat and drought for South African
producers. The ARC has the capability to continue to
deliver products that can enable producers to ensure
food security and sustain the South African economy.
The ARC is led by its highly capable executive team
and enjoys the support of its shareholders through
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as
well as its various partners.
1134 Park Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083;
PO Box 8783, Pretoria, 0001;
Tel: 012 427 9700
Dr Shadrack Moephuli, CEO, ARC
AGRI-GENERAL
Graan SA/Grain SA