Setting the SCENE

by Mary James

sector to low-carbon and climate change resilience. The SmartAgri plan is explained in detail in the third instalment of the SmartAgri series.

New perspectives

IIn my early years in agriculture, I remember attending a field trip with some enthusiastic maize breeders, moving slowly from one row to another, all the while examining each cob as though it’s the most beautiful creation they have ever set their eyes on. I thought that this was quite bizarre, and a character trait exclusively possessed by maize breeders. Little did I know that the entire sector is filled with these very passionate and sometimes very eccentric characters.

When one picks up an AgriProbe, you delve into a world that only the ever-passionate agriculturalist can transport you to. Each piece consists of intricately woven words and experiences that the contributors of this edition hold close to their hearts.

Dr Dirk Troskie takes you to a place where we celebrate the unique tastes of the Western Cape and how it is celebrated throughout the world, essentially showing us that some of the products we often take for granted, hold so much more meaning if we take the time to appreciate it.

Conserving our environment is key to how we should be farming sustainably, and it is a great fete for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture when like-minded partners in the sector are able to work together towards a single goal – to provide a roadmap for the

The Department is a leader in technology, and this can be seen in a number of interventions driven by technology and innovation. From rural safety to drone technology, the citizens, particularly those within the sector, are central to these new service offerings.

The sector offers a lot of potential for economic growth in the rural areas of the Western Cape. Read more about these in this issue.

Essentially, for a society to succeed, it is pivotal to leave no one behind by continuing to invest in our youth. This promises continuity. It is heart-warming to see the story of Pelican Park High School introducing agricultural subjects into their curriculum. This might just be the way forward in ensuring we remain food secure now and in the future.

Lastly, whether you are a regular or newcomer to our publication, it is with great excitement that we present this edition of AgriProbe to you. We are transitioning to a more interactive magazine with interesting features, links, voice clips, videos, etc. We hope you enjoy the new look and feel of this edition of AgriProbe and the fantastic content the magazine has to offer. We hope this edition and every other edition plant a seed that will enable you to appreciate this multidimensional sector and the people that work within it. We do it #forYOU #ForTheLoveOfAgriculture

Mary James

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