Cheers to beverage giant’s R6m deal
SU scientists get research boost
FUNDING of R6 million from beverage giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (AB InBev) bodes well for the development of the Western Cape’s agri-processing sector, according to Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde.
Winde was responding to an announcement yesterday that agronomists (soil and plant scientists) and food scientists from Stellenbosch University (SU) have partnered with AB InBev.
The deal will enable the scientists to tackle issues over the next three years related to the production of barley and will also include crops such as cassava and sorghum, ingredients used in beer making in many African countries.
The endeavours are being funded through the new AB InBev Research Chair in Agronomy held by Prof Nick Kotze. According to Kotze, bursaries worth R1m will be provided to six undergraduate and four postgraduate MSc students at the university and a further R1m is being set aside to fund various research projects.
Winde said this was an exciting development for innovation in the Western Cape’s agri-processing sector, and research and innovation would be key to sustaining the province’s agri-processing and agriculture sectors, particularly during challenging periods such as the current drought.
“I am pleased to report that the agriculture sector in the Western Cape is embracing innovation. Our own department uses satellite technology to help farmers better manage their water consumption through our Fruitlook programme.
“Farmers are also using drones to assess vegetation health through near infrared imaging and to track animals that may require assistance. This has helped farmers target their operations, reducing costs and improving overall margins.”
Winde said the Western Cape Department of Agriculture had teamed up with Stellenbosch University to offer skills programmes to young agriculturalists.
“Our department specialists have been appointed as study leaders for post-graduate students. Stellenbosch University staff also worked on our climate change response plan, SmartAgri. University students have access to the department’s research farms. This latest project further establishes Stellenbosch University as a leader in agricultural innovation.”
Kotze said the sum of the funding would go towards bursaries, mostly for disadvantaged students and the rest would go into research products, which included developing a kit to test the barley when it was harvested before going into beer production, and also for testing the cyanide levels of cassava.
THE DEAL WILL ENABLE SCIENTISTS TO TACKLE ISSUES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS RELATED TO THE PRODUCTION OF BARLEY.
He said the funding would benefit job creation in the long run. “We are very excited about this commitment and also want to play our part.”
Dr Nikki Else, research and development manager for Agriculture Africa at AB InBev, said the investment was the biggest investment yet in a South African university by AB InBev Research or by SAB Miller Ltd, with which it merged in October.
Else said beers such as Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona , as well as local brands such as Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Carling Black Label, Lion Lager and Hansa Pilsener, were among the AB InBev brands.
“We are excited about the partnership, and believe that the research will mitigate potential risks within the supply chain, demonstrating our commitment to South Africa while ensuring the required quality that meets the needs of our brewers and our customers,” said Else.