Bien Donné Farm - Agri Promo

How do we go about
creating a thriving greenhouse
industry in South Africa?
Leensie Streicher
AMG Media &
Promotions
S
outh-Africa has a 34 year history of greenhouse
crop production in South Africa. Initially
growers and Stellenbosch University
(Professors Laubscher and Maree) worked together,
researching problems and developing solutions for
the greenhouse industry. However, research in this
industry have been hampered by lack of funding as
no statutory levy is placed on the sales of vegetables
and researchers receive very limited funding from the
private or public sectors.
Dr. Petrus Langenhoven of ASNAPP (Agribusiness
in sustainable natural African plant products) said at
the 2011 Bien Donné Agri Cape Week, that IASA presented
many symposia and workshops in the past
to disseminate information that has been developed
in South Africa and abroad. With limited funding local
researchers and researchers from abroad made
BIEN DONNÉ AGRI CAPE WEEK 2012
exchange visits.
“In the past several attempts were made by IASA to
support institutions of higher learning. However, funding
was always limited and therefore did not contribute
considerably to research and training”.
Langenhoven furthermore said that the industry is
fragmented. “Grower associations using similar technology
to produce vegetables, flowers and seedlings
are not working together.”
According to him Stellenbosch University has the
strongest under and postgraduate academic program
in greenhouse crop production, but even with
their contribution, very few young agronomists are
being trained and the average age of growers are increasing.
There are also many young inexperienced
growers, very limited research and the development
of local solutions (technology) is limited.
All is not lost though and Langenhoven also suggested
actions that could help to create a thriving
greenhouse industry in South Africa. He suggested
the following:
• Multi-disciplinary process involving many
actors;
• Market first, science-based agribusiness
development approach;
• Creating networking platforms to bring
businesses together;
• Value Chain Approach;
• Creating strategic partnerships;
• Public-private partnerships, e.g. ARC,
NDA, DTI;
• Private sector relationships;
Sustainable greenhouse production
in South Africa means that production
must double, whilst leaving only half the
ecological footprint by reducing environmental
degradation and optimising the
efficiency of inputs (energy, water, minerals,
crop protection) within economic
constraints (profitability). New techniques
and concepts should also be explored
and adopted.
As a way forward, engagement with
growers should be continued and student
training must be supported more.
Producers should create partnerships
and work together in ensuring quality extension
services.
20 www.agrimega.co.za