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09 February 2024 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo SUPPLIED
Jerry Dlamini
Dr Jerry Dlamini, lecturer and researcher specialising in agronomy within the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), is at the forefront of pioneering research in this field.

Greenhouse gas emissions represent a significant global concern, driving climate change on a massive scale. This concern is particularly pronounced in rainfed agriculture, where understanding and addressing these emissions are crucial for ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. 

In South Africa, rainfed agriculture is vital in food production, contributing substantially to the nation's agricultural output. However, this sector also stands as a notable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through activities such as livestock farming, fertiliser use, and changes in land use.

Dr Jerry Dlamini, a distinguished lecturer and researcher specialising in agronomy within the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), is leading pioneering research in this field. His current project, @CROPGas on X, funded by the European Joint Programme (EPJ), with a budget of R22 million, focuses on investigating the impact of various conservation agriculture interventions on greenhouse gas emissions, primarily targeting nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2).

This two-year project, which commenced in December 2022 and concludes in December 2024, is a collaborative effort between European and African universities and institutions, including Rothamsted Research (UK), University College Dublin (Ireland), University of Nottingham (UK), University of Poznan (Poland), British Geological Surveys (BGS), University of Zambia (Zambia), University of Zimbabwe, and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Malawi). 

Dr Dlamini’s preliminary findings from the UFS Kenilworth Experimental Farm indicate that climate-smart agriculture interventions, such as legume rotation and no-till practices, have the potential to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly highly radiative gases like N2O.

“This is a significant finding,” Dr Dlamini noted, “as N2O has a global warming potential 100 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year horizon, meaning its impact on ozone depletion persists far longer despite being emitted in smaller quantities.”

Looking ahead, Dr Dlamini advocates for increased research efforts to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from South African croplands. He emphasises the importance of field-based measurements, akin to methodologies employed by other nations, to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of South Africa's greenhouse gas inventories submitted annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and to devise effective mitigation strategies. 

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"Boer Manie se melk word suur" no sour story
2010-02-17

Pictured, from the left, front, are the actors: Keogh (Boer Manie), Kotzé (Bella de Vries) and Strydom (Neelsie). Back: Fourie (Tersia Tandeheks) – Lize du Plessis
Photo: Lize du Plessis

The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently presented a jam-packed Drama Festival. The festival gave actors, directors and script-writers on campus the opportunity to show what they are capable of.

Heinrich Keogh and Ilne Fourie combined forces to present a production suitable for young and old. “Boer Manie se melk word suur” tells the story of Farmer Manie, his son Neelsie, his cow Bella and the evil Tersia Tandeheks, a witch who tries to turn the entire world’s milk sour by using magic. Her conniving plans create chaos on Madeliefie Vlei, where all the characters live.

The four actors, Heinrich Keogh (Boer Manier), Ilne Fourie (Tersia Tandeheks), Mart Kotzé (Bella de Vries) and Walter Strydom (Neelsie) clearly have a passion for acting. They climb into the bodies of their characters – something they have to learn when studying at the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts.

According to Keogh, who also directed “Boer Manie se melk word suur”, the play receives positive feedback.

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