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Dr Adré Minnaar-Ontong, who is a Senior Lecturer and the Head of Plant Breeding at the University of the Free State (UFS), says she is excited about the possibilities the platform is offering to bring all research related to crops together to invest in a better tomorrow.

“In addressing crop production challenges, I am of the opinion that the research platform will not only help roleplayers in the industry, but also small-scale producers and their associated communities that need agriculture to sustain them,” she says.

“Hosted within the platform, will be an academy responsible for the training of small-scale producers on, among others, business management and becoming self-sustainable. This will boost them and have the potential to expand their production area,” she explains.

According to her, small-scale producers can also impact their surrounding communities by ploughing back, for instance, by planting vegetable gardens at schools to help with feeding schemes. “I envision that the crop research platform will provide capacity, resources, and training to schools with, for instance, teachers educating learners on planting and maintaining the gardens.”

Minnaar-Ontong says in the next two years she would also like to see how experienced industry partners act as mentors for young and upcoming crop researchers. “This will be an investment in the development of small-scale producers and will certainly enhance collaborative projects that will serve both sides well.”

OFM News/Lee Simmons