In an exciting development for the South African potato industry, Potatoes SA has announced a forthcoming Research Symposium, set to take place on the 18th and 19th of July, 2023, in Parys.
The event, aptly themed “Roots in the Ground with the Future in Mind,” is designed to delve into the Potatoes SA research portfolio, showcasing the organization’s cooperative initiatives with prestigious partners such as the Universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, North-West and Free State, and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
The Symposium’s primary objective is to reflect on the hurdles encountered by the South African potato industry and to spotlight innovation as a priority. The event aims to address pivotal innovation areas, promoting sustainable and forward-thinking practices to drive the potato sector’s progress.
The Symposium will delve into priority areas including:
- Exploring alternative applications for low-grade potatoes
- Enhancing soil health and ecology
- Leveraging data and digital technologies for risk mitigation
- Improving quality to prolong shelf life and penetrate new markets
Potatoes SA is committed to promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange among growers, industry specialists, researchers, and stakeholders. The Research Symposium is designed to encourage lively discussions, captivating presentations, and beneficial networking opportunities, all aimed at inspiring the development of innovative solutions to the South African potato industry’s most urgent challenges.
Willie Jacobs, CEO of Potatoes SA, shared his excitement about the upcoming Symposium, stating, “The Research Symposium is a crucial platform for uniting our farmers, stakeholders, and leading experts to tackle the challenges and uncover innovative opportunities in the South African potato industry. We eagerly anticipate the productive discussions and collaborations that will contribute to the industry’s future growth and sustainability.”
Potatoes SA is grateful for the backing of leading innovation providers and sponsors, including Winfield United SA, Corteva, AECI Plant Health, ARC, Andermatt Madumbi, Avima (Pty) Ltd, BayAgro, Cosmocel, FMC Chemicals (Pty) Ltd, Grow Fresh, GWK, Nexus AG (Pty) Ltd, RegenZ & Solynta, Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Talborne Organics, UPL South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Wesgrow and Yara Africa Fertilizers (Pty) Ltd. Their support underscores a shared dedication to fostering advancements in the South African potato sector.
The Potatoes SA Research Symposium is now fully booked. Digital summaries of the presentations and discussions will be made available shortly after the event.
Source: Potatoes SA
Photo: Credit Winfield United SA Facebook page
