Crop Production Programme under Farm Administration
Crop Production is responsible for the planning, establishment, and management of greenhouse and field crops to ensure consistent, high-quality yields. Activities include seedling production, transplanting, irrigation and fertilization management, pest and disease control, and the implementation of spray programs under center pivot systems. Crops produced include a range of horticultural, field, and forage crops. The unit also oversees harvesting, quality control, and post-harvest handling. In addition, Crop Production supports marketing and sales by coordinating production schedules with market demand, supplying fresh produce to internal and external markets, and maintaining records to ensure efficiency, traceability, and sustainability across all production systems.
Contact person
Technical Supervisor: Thabo Modise
+27 18 389 2403
Animal Production Programme under Farm Administration
Animal production is the applied science and business of converting animal feed, care, and genetics into reliable, safe, and sustainable products for the human supply chain. It blends biology, nutrition, economics, mechanics, and veterinary medicine into the daily life of a farmer or rancher. The scale can vary from a small, pasture-based, direct-market farm to a large, specialized operation, but the core principles remain the same.
Contact person
Technical Supervisor: Castuf Sekgala
+27 18 389 2403
Animal Science Programme under Farm Administration
The Animal Science programme is an interdisciplinary field that examines the biological, physiological, and managerial aspects of food animals. The discipline integrates principles of genetics, nutrition, reproduction, health and behaviour to enhance animal welfare, productivity, animal product quality and sustainability. The undergraduate teaching and learning programme integrate the theoretical work with on farm practical work and an industrial and work integrated learning programme (IWIL) with the objective of sufficiently equipping students with critical skills that enables them to efficiently work in the agricultural industry, food production systems and policy making. It operates fully fledged poultry, pig, small stock, beef and dairy cattle units that are used for teaching and learning, research and production purposes. The postgraduate program prepares graduate student for research and development and enhancement of their professional careers in animal production systems, with special emphasis on scientific and ethical practices for sustainable animal food production.
Contact person
Subject Group Leader Animal Science: Prof Upenyu Marume
+27 18 389 2725
Crop Science Department under Farm Administration
The Crop Science Department within the Food Security and Safety (FFS) niche area boasts laboratory and field facilities, maintained by specialized laboratory and field technicians. These facilities host and accommodate a variety of diverse multidisciplinary research projects that fall under the Plant and Soil Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, and Plant Protection, led by a team of esteemed academics and postgraduate students. Additionally, work-integrated learning (WIL) is available to students who wish to gain new or hone their existing skills in preparation for employment or entrepreneurship. The department aims to facilitate projects that achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (UN) by improving food security and safety in the context of climate change. The team of enthusiastic individuals also contributes to community engagement through hosting and attending career exhibitions and farmers' days for knowledge dissemination.
Contact person
Subject Group Leader: Crop Science - Dr NJ Sithole
+27183892671