15 / 68
Cut losses with
PRECISION
Plant with
VISION
Process Monitor
for Air Seeders
Area
Speed
Tacho up to 4 axles
Alarm on each function
Easy to install
Bin / Tank full
Bin / Tank empty
Proudly Made
in South Africa
Tel: 012 345 3193
Fax: 012 345 6763
Web: www.electrolee.co.za
Email: info@electrolee.co.za
Sales: sales@electrolee.co.za
Planter Monitor
Seed per 100m per row, seed population
Hectares worked and much more
Easy to install and maintain
Fertiliser and turning of axles
Can be applied to most planters
Real tough, rust and water resistant
Sustainability possible through
appropriate partnerships
A
gricultural innovation is key to
solving long-term food security
challenges; future sustainability
relies on continuous access to new
technologies. This requires of South Africa’s
finite science and technology resources,
with appropriate partners, to prioritise and
identify industry needs and then act strate-
gically and collaboratively to find solutions.
Research and development (R&D) are ma-
jor drivers of the innovation required to
ensure the productivity, sustainability and
competitiveness of the primary grain in-
dustries and are recognised worldwide to
significantly contribute to the growth in the
grain industry.
The strategic innovation partnership for
grain and oilseeds between Grain SA and
the Department of Science and Technology
focuses on optimising innovation efforts
in grain and oilseed research through har-
monisation, synergies and partnerships in
areas of strategic focus in the DST’s Agricul-
tural Bio-economy Strategy.
Grain SA’s research portfolio priorities fo-
cus on: Crop improvement, crop protection,
climate resilience and conservation agricul-
ture. The primary objective is to establish
research consortia that drive innovation to
enhance the productivity, profitability and
sustainability of South African grain and
oilseed producers. Grain SA is focusing on
long-term, multi-stakeholder platforms for
new research collaborations.
Effective partnerships with other organisa-
tions are essential to leverage resources
and research capability, share technologies
and gain access to infrastructure. The stra-
tegic innovation partnership for grain and
oilseeds will utilise the platforms available
to Grain SA to build the portfolio of pro-
jects capable of addressing challenges for
producers and increasing the reach of new
products, processes and services.
This recently resulted in the signing of the
partnership with the University of Pretoria
(UP) and giving Grain SA access to a broad,
interdisciplinary research base across the
university. The world-class research group,
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology In-
stitute (FABI) will be key in this new partner-
ship. Their focus on excellence is respected
globally.
FABI is considered a world leader in tree
health; they have achieved many firsts in
terms of discoveries and technologies, rank
second in the world in the discipline of my-
cology (linked to plant pathology), and host
the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree
Health Biotechnology. Of importance is that
FABI is a prime destination for training of
students from South Africa and around the
world, bringing together top talent, diversity
of ideas, expertise and connections.
UP is currently investing in development
of its experimental farm as a world-class
research precinct/park with agriculture as
a core focus. This is an ideal opportunity
to develop a world-class research hub that
has value to the university, the industry and
the country. FABI has the experience and a
proven track record in this regard.
The timing is ideal, and critical, given the
urgent needs of the industry and with cur-
rent UP developments (e.g. the experimen-
tal farm) and focus on partnerships. This is
ideal to build short- and long-term research
projects: Capacity to deal with some short-
term needs using existing expertise, while
focusing on new opportunities from ex-
panding capacities, new technologies and
strong international partnerships for the
future.
GRAIN SA
DR MARINDA VISSER,
manager: Research and Policy Centre, Grain SA
1: The signing of the partnership with the University of Pretoria affords Grain SA access to a broad,
interdisciplinary research base across the university. Here are Prof Bernard Slippers, Prof Stephanie
Burton (both from the University of Pretoria), Jannie de Villiers (CEO, Grain SA) and Dr Marinda Visser.
2: Staff from Grain SA: Jannie de Villiers, Petru Fourie, Miekie Human and Dr Marinda Visser.
They visited the university recently to observe the progress with the building of the facility.
1
2