Growing women in agriculture, science and technology

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is a premier science institution that conducts research with partners, develops human capital and fosters innovation in support of the agricultural sector. The ARC provides diagnostic, laboratory, analytical, agricultural engineering services, post-harvest technology development, agrochemical evaluation, consultation and advisory services, food processing technology services as well as various surveys and training interventions.

As part of celebrating Women’s Month, the ARC honours women in agricultural science who continue to make efforts to mitigate against food insecurity and feeding the world’s ever growing population through scientific solutions including climate-smart agriculture.

As the nation celebrates the centenary of the struggle stalwart and humanitarian Albertina Sisulu, who was also a nurse by profession, it is an opportune time to reflect on what the ARC is doing to develop women in agriculture, science and technology. It is therefore befitting that the ARC has programmes and policies that for developing women scientists to address the economic challenges.

The ARC creates and provides opportunities to suitable candidates from various disadvantaged backgrounds to develop and promote skills, potential and talent to the ultimate as well as the ARC, agricultural sector, science and technology for economic growth of South Africa. This way the ARC also mitigates against the scarcity of scientists through mentorship by ARC senior researchers and continuous evaluation during the programme.

The following individuals are examples of the fruit of ARC growing women in agriculture, science and technology: