By REGINALD KANYANE
3 December 2024- Crop production in South Africa is overshadowed by storm clouds, and not the type that farmers crave. A multitude of uncertainties combine to darken prospects for the country’s crop farmers, which include climate change, water shortages, soil degradation, disease, economic instability and infrastructure and energy restrictions.
Prof Jacques Berner, Sub-Programme leader, is an expert in the field of crop physiology and said, that is why researchers at the sub-programme for Crop Production and Soil Management at the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences of the North West University (NWU) pursue concerted solutions for the country’s most critical agricultural issues. Berner said to be able to do this, the NWU must remain at the forefront of innovation, and two new agriculture-oriented projects testify to the commitment of the university in this regard.
“The NWU AgriHub and the HVAC Growth Facility with a focus on photosynthesis and the adjustment of ancient grain crops to environmental stress. My expertise lies in the investigation of physiological reactions of crops to drought and extreme temperatures.
“We want to establish the NWU AgriHub of Excellence, which is located just 4km from the NWU Potchefstroom campus, as a centre for agricultural innovation, research and training. This season we are starting a grain-based long-term trial and will focus on diverse agricultural systems to promote sustainable food production,” he said.
Berner further their vision is to develop solutions that will ensure food security and environmental sustainability, while they bridge knowledge gaps between the academic world, the industry, the government and farmers. He added that this centre will serve as a platform for influential research, industry cooperation and the development of agricultural systems that are designed for the challenges of the future.
Berner said the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Growth Facility (HVAC Growth Facility) is being developed close to the Botswana border. He said their HVAC Growth Facility is currently being built at the Mahikeng Campus.
“This advanced facility will offer controlled environments that mimic various climatic conditions, including variations in temperature, light, humidity, drought and flooding. It will create the ideal environment for research on the impact of climate change on plant growth and development.
“By simulating different environmental variables the facility will enable researchers to study how plants react to varying light conditions, temperature stressors and water shortages. This will provide valuable insights into their resilience, adaptability and overall health in changing environmental conditions,” said Berner.
He said this research can potentially make a considerable contribution to agricultural practices and strategies to mitigate climate change. Berner said the university is also looking beyond the immediate future to other possibilities of supporting the agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, the NWU principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said: “We are investigating the possibility of establishing a veterinary school, which will work with, among other institutions, the NWU’s subject group Animal Health, and the agricultural programme to make food security a priority.
“Agriculture plays an important role in the country and in North West in adding economic value, providing job opportunities, promoting rural development and creating food security.”
Tyobeka said, if they look at food security, there is currently a great need in the province and in the country, but the university has the capacity and expertise to make an appreciable difference in this sector. He said they have increased their involvement in the agricultural sector by further developing their partnerships with the government and the private sector.
“In addition to these efforts, the NWU is also looking at cooperation with the struggling agricultural colleges in the province, and considerable progress has already been made in this regard.
“Agriculture is one of the pillars supporting the South African economy, and the NWU is committed to ensuring that this sector is not only healthy, but also grows,” said Tyobeka.
The Guardian 