Potatoes SA is pleased to announce its upcoming Research Symposium, scheduled to take place on 18 and 19 July 2023 in Parys. The Research Symposium, themed “Roots in the Ground with the Future in Mind,” aims to review and discuss the Potatoes SA Research Portfolio, highlighting the organisation’s collaborative efforts with esteemed partners such as the Universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, North-West and Free State, as well as the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
The primary focus of the Research Symposium will be to reflect on the challenges faced by the South African potato industry and prioritise innovation within the sector. By addressing key areas of innovation, the symposium seeks to promote sustainable and progressive practices that will help propel the potato sector forward.
The priority areas to be explored during the event include:
- Alternative uses for low-grade potatoes
- Soil health and ecology
- Utilising data and digital technologies to mitigate risks
- Optimising quality to extend shelf life and access new markets
Potatoes SA aims to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among its growers, industry experts, researchers and stakeholders. The Research Symposium strives to facilitate dynamic discussions, engaging presentations, and valuable networking opportunities to stimulate the creation of groundbreaking solutions for the most pressing challenges faced by the South African potato industry.
Potatoes SA is proud to have the support of leading innovation providers and sponsors, including Winfield United SA, Corteva, AECI Plant Health, ARC, Andermatt Madumbi, Avima (Pty) Ltd, BayAgro, Cosmocel, FMC Chemicals (Pty) Ltd, Grow Fresh, GWK, Nexus AG (Pty) Ltd, RegenZ & Solynta, Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Talborne Organics, UPL South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Wesgrow and Yara Africa Fertilizers (Pty) Ltd. Their contributions reflect a collective commitment to driving advancements within the sector.
Willie Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Potatoes SA, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “The Research Symposium serves as a vital platform to bring together our farmers, sector stakeholders and leading experts to address the challenges, and explore innovative opportunities in the South African potato industry. We look forward to fruitful discussions and collaboration that will contribute to the future growth and sustainability of the industry.”
Note: The Potatoes SA Research Symposium is fully booked. Electronic extracts from presentations and discussions will be published soon after the event
