Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
Question by Hon Masipa
What (a) are the details of the research farms managed by his Department, (b) are the notable research projects that are conducted on these farms and (c) is the role being played by these farms in ensuring that his Department contributes to growth in the sector
(a) The Department has seven research farms which are focussing on the research needs of the farmers in that particular area.
The farms are:
- Nortier, near Lambertsbay
- Langgewens, near Moorreesburg
- Elsenburg, also hosting the Head Office of the Department
- Worcester Veldreserve
- Tygerhoek, near Riviersonderend
- Outeniqua, near George
- Oudtshoorn research farm, near Oudtshoorn
17 (b) The focus areas of notable research projects executed on the seven research farms are as follows:
Research farm | Focus area of research projects |
Nortier | Veld and beef cattle research |
Langgewens | Conservation Agriculture and small stock research (Swartland) |
Elsenburg | Diary, small stock, cattle, weed science and alternative crop research |
Worcester | Veld research for arid areas |
Tygerhoek | Conservation Agriculture and small stock research (Southern Cape) |
Outeniqua | Dairy and pasture research |
Oudsthoorn (the only ostrich research facility in the world) | Ostrich research |
17 (c) The seven research farms operate as research hubs/centres of excellence, supporting the farmers cutting edge, climate smart research and technology development. The farms also serve as technology transfer hubs from where science based information is disseminated to producers and other stakeholders of the Department to farm more sustainably. The research trials and infrastructure also allows tertiary institutions to execute post-graduate research work within our current trials (system research) and also houses research work of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). Furthermore, Outeniqua research farm as well as Oudtshoorn research farm houses the facilities of the Elsenburg College.
