CRC Content

Why it matters? Most maize breeding programmes focus on developing varieties for commercial farming systems. However, smallholder farmers often face different challenges such as poor soils, drought stress, and limited access to irrigation or fertiliser. This project was launched in the 2017/18 season to help close this gap by improving access to high-quality, drought- and

Why it matters? Climate change is increasing heat and rainfall variability, making maize production more difficult for smallholder farmers in South Africa. These farmers depend on maize for food and income, but drought and heat stress often cause major yield losses. Developing maize varieties that can tolerate drought, heat, and low soil fertility helps protect

Why it matters (80-100 words) South Africa’s dryland farming systems face increasing pressure from climate variability, soil degradation, and declining yields. While practices like crop rotation, reduced tillage, and cover cropping offer sustainable solutions, their long-term benefits are under-researched, especially in marginal areas. Most studies run only 3–5 years, too short to capture meaningful trends

Why It Matters Understanding soil health is essential for sustainable agriculture, especially in South Africa’s diverse grain production regions. This project investigates how soil ecosystems change over time under different farming systems and environmental conditions. By integrating biological indicators like nematodes and microbial activity, the study provides deeper insights into nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and

Why It Matters Soil health is foundational to sustainable agriculture, influencing crop productivity, environmental quality, and long-term farm viability. This project addresses the need for tailored crop rotation systems in the Eastern Free State, focusing on dryland potato and summer grain production. By integrating cover crops and evaluating their impact on soil microbial, chemical, and

Why It Matters Agricultural productivity in the Eastern Cape is constrained by limited data on crop performance under local conditions. This project addresses that gap by evaluating the adaptability and yield potential of key grain and oilseed crops, such as maize, wheat, canola, sorghum, soybean, and sunflower, across diverse agroecological zones. Reliable, site-specific data on

  Why It Matters South African grain and oilseed farmers face increasing challenges from rising input costs, climate variability, and the need to maximise productivity on existing land. Traditional blanket input recommendations fail to capture the variability of soils, weather, and cropping systems across regions. The Data Intensive Farm Management project harnesses big data, precision

Why it matters South Africa faces growing pressure to diversify its cropping systems, especially in regions with poor soil conditions and erratic rainfall. This project explores the viability of pigeon pea and dry beans as alternative crops that can enhance food security and reduce reliance on conventional inputs. By improving seed germination and crop performance

Why It Matters South African grain farmers must produce more with fewer resources, while coping with rising costs, climate variability, and shrinking profit margins. Traditional blanket recommendations for seed and fertilizer use often overlook the variability of soils and climates across farms. This project introduces On-Farm Precision Experimentation (OFPE) to create a robust, locally relevant