SARChI Chairs renewed for another five-year term

Photo Kaleidoscope Studios

The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) research chairs in Disease Resistance and Quality in Field Crops, led by Prof Maryke Labuschagne, and Vector-borne and Zoonotic Pathogens, under the leadership of Prof Felicity Burt, have recently been renewed for another five-year term.

The Disease Resistance and Quality in Field Crops chair produced 28 PhD, 22 MSc and 15 honors/BSc Agric 4th year students as well as the four postdoctoral fellows over the years. In the first 10 years of the chair, researchers published 130 papers in almost exclusively ISI-listed journals with good impact. Furthermore, significant progress was made on rust resistance and the mechanisms and genetics of resistance, as well as crop biofortification, with the release of some of the biofortified varieties to farmers for production in Africa. 

“We have extended our research to include more legumes (cowpea, bambara groundnut, pigeon pea and vegetable soybean), which are important food security crops in South Africa and the rest of Africa. I am grateful to the UFS who has facilitated the chair and helped us in many ways to make it a success.”

“I am happy that the SARChI chair was renewed for a third five-year term (up to the end of 2030). We now have a strong interdisciplinary team working together on the research and student supervision at the UFS. We also have a good collaborative network on a national and international level, and we have also improved our infrastructure in terms of equipment and other facilities over the years,” says Prof Labuschagne, a Professor of Plant Breeding in the Department of Plant Sciences.

UFS agricultural scientists recognised among world’s leading researchers

Researchers from the University of the Free State Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences who were recognised in the 2026 Research.com rankings in Animal Science and Veterinary Science, as well as Plant Science and Agronomy. From the left: Prof Arno Hugo, Prof Maryke Labuschagne, and Prof Zakkie Pretorius.

Researchers from the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences have received international recognition in the 2026 Research.com rankings for research excellence in Animal Science and Veterinary Science, as well as Plant Science and Agronomy.

The rankings highlight the growing international impact of UFS research in food security, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and climate resilience.

Recognized researchers include Prof Michael MacNeil and Prof Arno Hugo in Animal Science and Veterinary Science, as well as Prof Maryke Labuschagne and Prof Zakkie Pretorius in Plant Science and Agronomy.

Prof Maryke Labuschagne, Professor of Plant Breeding and holder of the NRF-SARChI Chair in Diseases and Quality of Field Crops, says the recognition reflects the importance of agricultural research in addressing global and local challenges.

“It is always encouraging to receive recognition for the work one does and it is a good motivation to constantly improve,” she says.

Her research focuses on improving the nutritional value of crops within the context of climate change, with direct relevance to food and nutrition security in Africa and internationally.

“Professionally, it shows that the research and work we do is relevant and points the way for the future,” she says.

Prof Zakkie Pretorius, Research Fellow whose research specializes in rust diseases of field crops, says the recognition was unexpected but encouraging. “Being acknowledged for career achievements, especially in retirement, comes as a surprise. It motivates me, however, to keep going and add value wherever professionally possible,” he says.