Cultivating Success: Three Decades of Agricultural Innovation with the ARC

The Agricultural Research Council¶s (ARC) contribution to food security in the agricultural sector in commemoration of 30 years of democracy

The ARC was established in 1992 and its eleven (10) campuses are largely a continuation of that which was previously originated and developed by the then Department of Agriculture (DOA). By placing agricultural research in South Africa on an independent trajectory, greater scope was provided than is possible within the public service.

The ARC has, in the thirty years of democracy, fulfilled its responsibilities in an extraordinary way as seen from the highlights of each campus, below. We will be embarking on a series over the next few weeks, telling the story of how the Agricultural Research Council has, over the past three decades, committed to agricultural excellence for the betterment of the South African population.

From the 27 April 2024 to the 30 September 2024, keep an eye out for our remarkable tales of achievement, dedication, and love for agriculture across our various social media channels and this website: www.arc.agric.za/arc-cult-success/pages/default.aspx.

Arc-tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARCTSC): From pioneering seedless lemon varieties to empowering small-scale fruit and nut producers, ARC-TSC has revolutionised subtropical agriculture. The development of the Eureka Seedless Lemon! and the supply of pathogen-free propagation material have not only catered to consumer preferences but also supported agribusiness development. By prioritising training and knowledge transfer, the ARC-TSC is sowing the seeds of prosperity for farmers in warmer regions.

Arc-vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants (ARC-VIMP):

ARC-VIMP'S dedication to exploring the nutritional potential of indigenous vegetables and underutilised crops is reshaping the food and health landscape. Through research collaborations and youth empowerment projects, ARC-VIMP is nurturing a new generation of vegetable producers while safeguarding traditional knowledge. With decades of experience in potato breeding and sweet potato cultivation, ARC-VIMP continues to enhance crop resilience and quality.

Arc-plant Health and Protection (ARCPHP): As custodians of invaluable genetic resources, ARC-PHP plays a vital role in safeguarding plant health and biodiversity The ARC was mandated by the State to manage and maintain the National Public Good Assets (NPGAS) on its behalf. The NPGAS consist of biobanks, including plant viruses; rhizobia and other PGPRS 3 050 strains, plant pathogenic bacteria 4 708 strains and fungal 31 201 strains. The biodiversity biobank hosts 517 insects; 2 500 fungi and 110 spider specimens. In totality the resource includes 2 to 3 million insects, 63 384 preserved fugal specimens, 200 000 species of spiders, 27 274 mite specimens and 51 318 nematode slides with many of having collection data databased.

Arc-infruitec-nietvoorbij (ARC INF-NVB):

At the forefront of herbal tea production and fruit cultivar development, Arc-infruitecnietvoorbij exemplifies excellence in agricultural research. By optimising processing techniques and breeding resilient

cultivars, the ARC is empowering farmers and elevating South African produce on the world stage. Through initiatives like the Proteaceae breeding programme, the ARC continues to innovate in floriculture and fruit production. The ARC, through ARC INF-NVB has been at the forefront of R&D of honeybush herbal tea produced from various Cyclopia spp.

ARC-SOIL, Climate and Water (ARC-SCW):

From pioneering climate monitoring systems to promoting conservation agriculture, the ARC-SCW is leading the charge towards sustainable farming practices. By empowering rural communities with rainwater harvesting technologies and soil analysis tools, the ARCSCW is mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture. Through participatory approaches and capacity building, the ARCSCW is nurturing a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.

Arc-agricultural Engineering (ARC-AE):

By setting standards in irrigation design and renewable energy integration, the ARC-AE is empowering farmers to thrive in a changing climate. Through innovative solutions like Integrated Food Systems and Irrigation Scheduling Tools, the ARC-AE is enhancing food security and livelihoods. With a focus on smallholder empowerment and technology adoption, the ARC-AE is paving the way for sustainable agricultural development.

Arc-animal Production (ARC-AP): From

poultry agro-processing to innovative forensic DNA analysis, the ARC-AP is at the forefront of livestock research. By promoting alternative uses for slaughterhouse by-products and introducing hydroponic farming systems, the ARC-AP is revolutionizing animal production. Through initiatives like the National Beef Recording and Improvement Scheme, the ARC-AP is driving efficiency and competitiveness in the beef value chain.

Arc-onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR):

Amidst challenges like avian influenza outbreaks, the ARC-OVR'S research prowess shines bright. With cutting-edge diagnostic assays and state-of-the-art facilities, ARC-OVR is safeguarding animal

health and welfare. Through collaborations and innovation, ARC-OVR is tackling emerging threats and ensuring the resilience of South Africa's livestock industry.

Arc-small Grain (ARC-SG):

The ARC'S commitment to addressing food security challenges is evident in its Small Grain division. Collaborating with partners, the ARC is developing a diverse range of upland rice varieties tailored to thrive in South Africa's varied environments. Furthermore, their pioneering National Rust Monitoring Programme has identified over 30 races of rust, vital for ensuring the resilience of grain crops against this persistent threat.

Arc-grain Crops (ARC-GC): ARC - Grain Crops harnesses its strong relationship with multinational partners to advance the plight of the South African farming community. ARCGC is at the forefront of public-private partnerships aimed at delivering droughttolerant maize hybrids to smallholder farmers. Through initiatives like TELA Maize for Africa and the Seed Business Development Project, the ARC is empowering farmers with resilient cultivars and essential knowledge. The Annual cultivar evaluation for Soybean, Dry bean and Sunflower conducted by ARC Grain Crops through the cultivar evaluation trials trials serve as a crucial platform for farmers to make informed decisions, ensuring optimal yields and profitability.

As the ARC celebrates three decades of agricultural innovation, its impact echoes across South Africa and beyond. From pioneering research to empowering farmers, the ARC'S legacy is one of resilience, progress, and prosperity. As we look towards the future, let us continue to cultivate success with the ARC, ushering in a new era of agricultural excellence and sustainability. Stay glued to the ARC digital platforms over the next couple of weeks to go down a nostalgic 30-year journey, through our research highlights since the dawn of our democracy.