A drone sprays pesticide over farmland in Guangrao county, Dongying, east China's Shandong province. At the Agricultural Research Council, we are not only committed to advancing agricultural science, we are committed to transforming agriculture through science, writes Dr Lerato Matsaunyane.
South Africa's future will be determined by how effectively we strengthen food security, protect our natural resources and build resilient rural economies. Agriculture is central to achieving these national priorities, and science is the catalyst that will drive the innovation, productivity and resilience needed to secure the sector's long-term success.
As we mark National Science Month, we must recognise that science is not confined to laboratories or academic journals. Agricultural science delivers tangible solutions that improve lives, strengthen economies and safeguard our nation's future. Its impact is evident in healthier and more productive livestock, climate-resilient crop varieties, improved soil and water management, sustainable production systems and cutting-edge technologies that enable farmers to increase productivity, adapt to climate change and remain globally competitive.
For more than three decades, the ARC has been at the forefront of agricultural research, innovation and technology development in South Africa. As the country's premier agricultural research institution, we generate the scientific knowledge, technologies and evidence-based solutions that strengthen food and nutrition security, enhance agricultural productivity and support a more competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.
