SASUF Research and Innovation Week 2023: Satellite Events

Agricultural biologicals are products based on organic matter, which can serve as biostimulants, biocontrol agents, biopesticides, resistance inducers or biofertilizers. They can lead to improved plant protection, growth enhancement and/or soil improvement, which in turn can safeguard food security. However, there are a number of challenges around awareness, availability, viability, production and policies for biologicals. In southern Africa, limited work has been done on plant biologicals even if there is a potential in introducing them to create a more sustainable agriculture. Currently, the focus is also more towards large-scale farmers. An increased understanding for the use of biologicals by smallholder farmers is needed.

As part of an AgriFoSe2030 project, we have over the last year mapped the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding biologicals in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa. This was done by interviews and surveys with smallholder farmers, researchers, policymakers, regulators, agro-dealers, manufacturers, importers and distributors. In all, more than 600 persons have contributed to our KAP analysis. In this seminar, we want to present some of our preliminary observations and results, also including a comparison of the three countries.

This seminar targets farmers, researchers, policymakers and private stakeholders, and will include representatives of these groups. It is a possibility to ask questions regarding the results of the KAP analysis and further discuss the future role of biologicals in SSA. We will start by presenting our results with the help of our team of researchers from Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa who conducted the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding biologicals. It will also be possible to participate remotely.

Agenda for Tuesday 28 of March 2023
9:00  Welcoming (Prof Bongani Ndimba - Senior Manager Research: ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij & Dr Sonja Venter (Senior Manager Research: ARC-Vegetables, Industrial and Medicinal Plants)
9:10  What are biologicals and what is the global status? [Prof Erik Alexandersson (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) / Dr Lerato Matsaunyane (ARC-Vegetables, Industrial and Medicinal Plants)]
9:25  Plant biologicals: Identifying hurdles of use through a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) analysis of stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa [Dr Mesia Ilomo (University of Dar es Salaam) / Prof Quenton Kritzinger (University of Pretoria)]
9:45  Question and Answer session
10:00  Coffee break
10:30  Invited speaker: Developing beneficial soil microbes as inoculants to enhance climate smart agriculture (Dr Ahmed Hassen, ARC)
10:45  Invited speaker: Biocult (Trichoderma and Endomycorrhizae) for root health (Dr Deidre Odendaal, AECI)
11:00  Question and Answer session and open discussion
11:45  Wrap-up and way forward

Main target group:
Students, farmers, researchers, policymakers and private stakeholders

Keywords: Agriculture, biologicals, sub-Saharan Africa, plant health

Venue in Stellenbosch: Carmine, Infruitec Main Building, Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch

Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/KJssSUf3zZR7UQJh6