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15 October 2020
Hello Friends and alumni
Things are getting busier as pandemic restrictions ease up, and there's been lots on the go. We hope you find some of the news and opportunities in this newsletter interesting and useful, and hope you might consider joining us for one of the virtual World Food Day celebrations taking place tomorrow.
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Professor Participates in Plant Breeding Guide International Launch
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Agricultural Management Student a Finalist in Tertiary Pageant
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First-year Bachelor of Agricultural Management student, Ms Nosipho Memela is a top 10 finalist in the Miss and Mr SA PRE-Tertiary 2020 modelling pageant, a national event that aims to empower young people.
The pageant, arranged by a modelling brand, was founded by former Mrs South Africa semi-finalist and model Mrs Mbalenhle Molefe Mkhize, who achieved a Diploma in Civil Engineering and a certificate in Project Management. It aims to empower, strengthen and encourage youth to improve themselves, demonstrate their strengths, and improve on their weaknesses. Its mission is to contribute to a healthy society by promoting integrity, purpose and value in young people, and by creating a platform for personal improvement where entrants can find avenues to channel their abilities.
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Study on Livestock-Derived Food Examines Complexities in Sustainable Food Production
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Researchers collaborating in the international Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems (SHEFS) transdisciplinary research programme recently published an article in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) that explores the livestock-derived food (LDF) system in South Africa.
SHEFS is an inter-institutional project funded by the Wellcome Trust’s Our Planet, Our Health Programme that focuses on the intersection of the environment, food systems and health, with researchers in South Africa, India and the United Kingdom investigating food systems currently under significant pressure from demographic changes, shifts in dietary patterns, land use changes and urbanisation, among other pressures.
These global food systems, which researchers point out are not resolving hunger or rising levels of obesity, and waste of up to a third of what is produced, are straining against planetary boundaries, with LDF systems under especial scrutiny.
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Grassland Science Student’s Project Wins Award
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Ms Lindelwe Mabika, who completed a Biological Sciences Honours degree in 2019, has received the JD Scott Award for the best student in Grassland Science after conducting research on the use of grass as a biocontrol agent for a plant that is invasive in numerous countries.
Supervised by Dr Michelle Tedder and Dr Terry Olckers, Mabika tackled a project examining whether grass competition and insect root-feeding could inhibit the growth and reproduction of fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis).
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The Cost of Water Pollution
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Alumnus and scientist at the Institute of Natural Resources, Mr Wesley Evans (MSc Ecology), has written for the Water Research Commission's September/October Water Wheel publication after contributing to the development of a conceptual framework mapping out a range of potential costs associated with deteriorating water quality.
Evans explains that "[e]ffects of water pollution can be varied and widespread. It poses a risk to food and water security and the economy and it has the potential to impact human health, tourism, property values, commercial fishing, recreational businesses and many other sectors that depend on clean water. Water pollution also cultivates inequality as it disproportionately affects the poor, women and children. Given the wide-ranging risks associated with it, it is unsurprising that the pollution and degradation of freshwater systems incurs significant social and environmental costs.
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Linking such costs (whether they are economic, ecological or social) to deteriorating water quality provides a clearer perspective on the value of water quality and pollution management for policymakers and the public."
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Farewell to Professor Edilegnaw Wale
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Professor Edilegnaw Wale departed from the discipline of Agricultural Economics at UKZN at the end of September to take up the post of Professor of Agricultural Development Economics and Policy at the University of the Free State.
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Wale joined UKZN in February 2009 as a Senior Lecturer, becoming an Associate Professor in January 2015 and a Full Professor in November 2019.
Prior to joining UKZN, Wale worked as an economist for Bioversity International, was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Bonn, and worked in various capacities at Alemaya University, from graduate assistant to assistant professor.
He holds a PhD in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics from the University of Bonn, an MSc in Agricultural Development Economics from Wageningen University and a BSc in Agricultural Economics from Alemaya University. He has lectured undergraduate and postgraduate students on various courses, and supervised several postgraduate students. He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers in several reputable journals and book chapters focusing on agricultural biodiversity, agricultural and food policy, the economics of water use in agriculture and agricultural technology adoption/impact. He has presented contributed papers at various international, regional and national conferences.
Wale remains an Honorary Professor at UKZN and will continue to supervise and co-supervise postgraduate students at the University, and work with UKZN colleagues on multi-institutional research projects.
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Agricultural Engineering Alumni Promote the Profession
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Mr Pranesh Moodley from MBB Consulting Engineers, President of the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) and Mr Thabo Mavundza, Engineering Manager at Westfalia Fruit and Vice-President of SAIAE, were featured on the AgriSETA Learner Connect podcast with Food for Mzansi where they gave insight into their career activities, what they enjoy about the field of agricultural engineering, and what advice they would give learners interested in pursuing this career.
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Celebrate World Food Day Online
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On 16 October to commemorate World Food Day, the Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems at UKZN will be partnering with the Water Research Commission (WRC), the Agricultural Research Council and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to host a virtual dialogue on the topic of “Post Covid-19: strengthening indigenous food systems for more sustainable, equitable and healthy food systems”.
Initially planned to be held at UKZN, the event will now be a webinar where results, findings and recommendations generated by the WRC on issues related to food security, nutrition and health will be shared.
Attendance and contributions are invited from interested stakeholders in order to add value to the WRC's research and development initiatives.
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The University of KwaZulu-Natal is hosting its first ever World Food Day Symposium online this Friday, 16 October, from 12h30-14h00.
Through this event, UKZN aims to encourage research and technology for the development of symbiotic ecological food production systems and ensure sustainable food production by highlighting the plight of 870 million undernourished people in the world. Most of them live in rural areas where their main source of income is agriculture. A large majority of UKZN students come from the rural and peri-urban areas where poverty and hunger continue to inflict multidimensional traumas to livelihoods of many communities.
UKZN is developing a model of zero hunger for all students. Join the University as it shares views and facts about the concept of food security in the context of research, science, technology, health and social wellness.
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Webinar - Animals, fences and fires: Heterogeneity and grassland management
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In this second free webinar from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA), Professor Sam Fuhlendorf from Oklahoma State University will present a talk entitled, "Animals, fences and fires: Heterogeneity and grassland management".
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Capacity Development Opportunities from ILRI/CGIAR
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Have a look at some of the current capacity development opportunities from the International Livestock Research Institute and the CGIAR in their newsletter.
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Photo Competition - International Year of Plant Health
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In celebration of 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH), the South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) is calling all avid photographers to contribute to the United Nations' goal of raising global awareness of how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development.
If you are keen to help with the recognition of the importance of plants in our daily lives, submit your photograph that depicts the idea of one of the following:
- Healthy Plants: Free from pests (diseases and insects)
- Unhealthy Plants: Not free from pests (diseases and insects)
- Environment surrounding the Plant: Landscape/plant and animal communities
- Factors affecting Plant Health: Sunlight, temperature, carbon dioxide, water and minerals
Prizes to be won!
Competition closes 30th of November 2020.
For terms and conditions and instructions on how to enter, visit SANSOR's website.
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SAMAC Undergraduate & Postgraduate Bursaries
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Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC) hereby invites students who are intending to pursue or are pursuing their studies in the field of Agriculture for the 2020 academic year, to apply for a bursary. Applicants who are not contacted by 31 March 2021 must regard their application as being unsuccessful.
See attached for details about undergraduate and postgraduate applications, and the conditions of the bursary.
Application forms can be obtained from the SAMAC website and must be submitted to transformation@samac.org.za, accompanied by all the supporting documentation, before or on the 15 December 2020.
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Potatoes SA Bursary Scheme
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Applications are open to South African citizens pursuing undergraduate studies in the following fields; applications are invited from the second year of study onwards, and from postgraduate students pursuing their Honours, Masters or PhD on a potato-related topic.
- Agronomy
- Plant Production
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Production
Application forms available on the website; applications close on 31 October 2020 for the 2021 academic year.
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Meat Industry Trust Postgraduate Bursaries
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The Meat Industry Trust (MIT) provide funds for bursaries, for postgraduate studies, to students of merit who studies at a South African tertiary institution in fields of importance to the Red Meat Industry.
VALUE of the SCHOLARSHIP
The bursaries are R60 000pa. The total value of a Master’s Degree will be a maximum of R120 000 for 2 consecutive years of study, while a Doctor’s Degree will be a maximum of R180 000 for 3 consecutive years of study.
The awarding of a scholarship is not regarded as a guarantee that the allocation will again be made in successive years. This will depend on proof of progress as confirmed by the Supervisor and re-registration at the Tertiary Institution.
FIELDS of STUDY
Sustainable Natural Resources*
Livestock Production*
Animal Health and Welfare
Animal Products
Economics of Red Meat*
Predation Management
Livestock Theft Prevention
* denotes fields of Prime Importance
Applications for 2021 open on 1 August 2020 and close on 31 October.
Visit the MIT website to apply.
Bursaries are only considered for students who adhere to the above requirements.
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Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development Bursary Awards for 2021
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The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) intends to award comprehensive bursaries to qualifying applicants pursuing and/or intending to further their studies in identified careers in the agriculture, land reform and rural development sector for the 2021 academic year.
The bursary will cover tuition, accommodation, books, meals and monthly allowance. The bursary awards target the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.
Closing date for all applications: 30 November 2020
Qualifications covered include a BScEng in Bioresource (Agricultural) Engineering; a BSc in Entomology, Food Science, Plant Pathology, Viticulture and Oenology, or Animal Science; a BSc in Geo-Informatics/Geographic Information Science and more.
For more information view the bursary advert.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Mr Vusimuzi Mngomezulu 012 319 7923 • Ms Silindelo Dlomo 012 319 7848 • Mr Tshianeo Khangala 012 319 7015 • Mr Ayanda Gogobala 012 319 5703 • Mr Zuko Xalisa 012 319 5703
Application forms can be obtained here.
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