1 minute read
Setting the SCENE
by WCDOA pubs
by Carol Levendal
This volume of AgriProbe is released a year since 26 March 2020, when the country went into alert Level 5 lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Who would have thought our world would change so much in a year? The new normal is “no entry” unless you are wearing a mask, sanitising and social distancing. At work we meet on MS-Teams, Zoom, Skype, Discord and many other new platforms. We no longer have conferences and seminars; instead, we have webinars when working from home. The article “Embracing the future” shows our response to this new normal while the article “Wildlife industry fights back!” shows the resilience of people in agriculture coping with the new normal. Also read more about the BFAP launch that took place virtually and provided Government and a wide variety of agricultural stakeholders with critical insights for improved strategic planning and decision-making.
This volume is also jam-packed with articles that showcase our prowess in the international arena. Three international days are celebrated: International Women’s Day (8 March), World Water Day (22 March) and World Radio Day (15 February). The theme of Women’s Day is an equal future for women in leadership. The department has had more than 40% women in senior management for many years. The article “Landing drone technology at Elsenburg” celebrates three women who attained their drone operating licenses. We focus on water in relation to climate with articles on water and the economy, water management and irrigation water (“leiwater”). A short radio message to celebrate World Radio Day is embedded with activities that will please the reader.
Human capital development is a strategy of this department and we showcase this with an article on the graduation ceremony at the college. Three ladies completed a master’s degree in animal sciences and the three students mentioned above received their drone operating licenses.
Agriculture is important for the economy of the Western Cape Province and a profile on this sector and a snippet are included. The importance of the readiness of agricultural economics for large data sets is discussed.
Since eating is an agricultural activity, no issue will be complete without a recipe that has been tried and tested. Enjoy.
Stay safe, practise social distancing, sanitise and wear your mask.
EDITOR
Mary James (021 808 5008) maryj@elsenburg.com
CHAIRPERSON
Dr Ilse Trautmann (021 808 5012) ilset@elsenburg.com
SECRETARIAT
Gizelle van Wyk (021 808 5022) gizellevw@elsenburg.com
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Ashia Petersen ashiap@elsenburg.com
Vusumzi Zwelendaba (021 808 5226) vusumziz@elsenburg.com
Riaan Nowers (021 808 5194) riaann@elsenburg.com
Maritjie Cornelissen (021 808 5497) maritjiec@elsenburg.com
Brighton Shumba (021 808 5384) brightons@elsenburg.com
Dr Lesley van Helden (021 808 5017) lesleyvh@elsenburg.com
John Constable (021 808 7763) johnconstable@elsenburg.com
Arie van Ravenswaay (021 808 5085) arievr@elsenburg.com
Daniel Johnson (021 483 3261) Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za
