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Initiative will position the UFS as a leader in circularity in agriculture

04 April 2025 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Supplied

Prof Wayne Truter, Research Professor at the UFS Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry, and Executive Management of the UFS Green Futures Hub.

Hosting the South African Circular Agriculture Initiative (SACAI) – an initiative of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) – will help position the Green Futures Hub at the University of the Free State (UFS) as a leader in circularity in agriculture.

The UFS Green Futures Hub was selected to host the SACAI from 1 January 2025-31 March 2026. The funding received will be used to conduct workshops with stakeholders to develop a strategy to strengthen South Africa’s science, technology, and innovation for a circular economy in the agriculture sector.

The SACAI, under the leadership of Prof Wayne Truter, Research Professor at the UFS Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry, and Executive Management of the UFS Green Futures Hub, aims to advance the principles of the circular economy and modernise agriculture in line with the South African government's aspirations. These goals are outlined in the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Decadal Plan (2022-2032) and the Circular Economy STI Strategy.

Elevating the UFS’ visibility

The UFS Green Future Hub is a virtual platform in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS), to facilitate integration and leverage capabilities to facilitate third stream funding and industry collaboration. It provides an interface and support structure for researchers to engage with funders and partners through the Hub.

Prof Truter says it is a great honour and privilege to have been awarded this initiative. “The funding that comes with SACAI will elevate our visibility in agriculture in the country and will help position Green Futures Hub as a leader in circularity in agriculture. A key objective of SACAI is to leverage science, technology, and innovation to enhance the value of the national system of innovation (NSI) within the agriculture sector.

“The initiative will align with the priorities set out in the Circular Economy STI Strategy (2024-2034), focusing on resource efficiency, regenerative agriculture, sustainable agro-processing, and biorefinery development in South Africa. Through collaborations with other public research institutions, the hub will drive STI implementation in these critical areas,” says Prof Truter.

Objectives of SACAI

The objective of SACAI is to give effect to the (i) circular economy, and (ii) modernising agriculture, aspirations of the South African government. The SACAI aims to advance the principles of the circular economy and modernise agriculture in line with the South African government’s aspirations.

Simultaneously, Prof Truter explains, the objectives of the SACAI align with the vision of the UFS Green Futures Hub to be a global leader in advancing the understanding and application of sustainable practices for life with land and water, in developing contexts. By leveraging the latest advancements in research, technology, and innovation, the hub aims to create a thriving future where communities harmonise with natural and agricultural environments, ensuring the well-being of current and future generations, which has a particular focus on modernising agriculture and capacity development.

Through STI, the SACAI will support the South African agriculture sector to adopt, scale and accelerate circular practices and technology. The SACAI will act through a hub-and-spoke model, to build and strengthen a national system of innovation, and associated capability, and will establish and strengthen strategic regional and international STI partnerships, to directly support industry and other sector stakeholders, serving as a facilitator of relevant research and related outputs.

UFS’ Vision 130

“A South African Circular Agricultural Initiative perfectly aligns with our research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university by driving innovation and knowledge production in sustainable agriculture. This initiative will enable the university to contribute to development and social justice by advancing circular farming practices that reduce waste, optimise resources, and promote environmental sustainability, particularly in rural areas.

“This fosters greater food security and resilience, benefiting marginalised communities, and addressing social inequalities within the agricultural sector. By involving our students, this initiative will directly support the student-centred approach, offering hands-on learning experiences that equip graduates with cutting-edge skills in circular economy principles,” says Prof Truter.

The university’s Vision 130 focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity is reflected in the initiative’s emphasis on sharing knowledge and resources equitably, ensuring maximum societal impact and advancing a more just and sustainable agricultural system across South Africa.

Prof Vasu Reddy, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, says: “This accolade speaks volumes of the calibre of our scholars and the recognition of our expertise in the agricultural domain. The UFS is exceptionally proud of Prof Truter’s drive, initiatives, vision and foresight. Under his leadership, we will augment and inflect even further our standing and position in the circular economy of agriculture. Reddy added: “We will not simply be the heartland but the growing soul and substance of what agriculture might become through research, implementation and impact. We are watching this space with deep curiosity.”

News Archive

Agriculture must adapt to change

2008-11-28

At the launch of "50 years of agriculture" at the UFS were, from the left: Mr Corwyn Botha: Chairman: Agri Business Chamber and Managing Director: Cape Agri Group, Mr Motsepe Matlala, President of NAFU, Mr Hans van der Merwe, Executive Head: Agri SA, Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk: Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS, and Mr Sugar Ramakarane, Head: Department of Agriculture, Free State Province.
Photo: Lacea Loader

“The biggest factor driving agriculture today is change. Our major challenge is to adapt to this changing environment.” This was stated by Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) during the recent celebration of the faculty’s “50 years in agriculture”.

Prof. Van Schalkwyk stated that the most important changes include power relationships in supply chains, consumer demand, new products and technology in agriculture, government action and developments in neighbouring states. “At the moment there is very little cooperation between small-scale farmers, small-scale farmers and commercial farmers and farmers and processors. There are also low levels of processing, low levels of value adding and a lack of creative thinking in agriculture," he said.

“This must change – we need comprehensive agricultural support and new business ideas in agriculture. We need better infrastructure, value chain financing and improved institutional support,” he said.

Speaking about agriculture and institutional co-operation in the Free State, Mr Sugar Ramakarane, Chief Director of the Free State Department of Agriculture, said that the UFS plays a vital role in bringing together organised agriculture in the province. “The responsibility of transforming our economy cannot be done by government alone. We need partners like the UFS to assist us with bringing together the two most important stakeholders of the agricultural sector, namely the National Farmers’ Union (NAFU) and Free State Agriculture. You can assist us with harnessing co-operation and providing practical solutions," he said

Mr Ramakarane said that his department is aware of the university’s good work with emerging farmers. “But, I want to encourage the university to help us with skills transfer and the development of the emerging farmers. You can play a vital role in developing a mentorship programme. Yours remains a central and critical role of being torch bearers in guiding the transformation agenda of our country," he said.

In his contribution on the challenges of small scale farmers in South Africa and the role of the university, Mr Motsepe Matlala, President of NAFU, said that unity in organised agriculture and working together with other stakeholders has become even more crucial with regard to the global challenges now faced by the country. “The university should take the lead in guiding all farmers on how to respond to, among others, the global financial turmoil and politics, developments in trade negotiations, food prices, input costs and the availability of energy," he said.

“If the UFS, and more specifically the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, is to continue to play a leading role in academia as well as in the production of research that matters to the growth and development of this country, it must adopt an approach that seeks to harness the capacity of everyone in an inclusive manner. The strides already made in this regard must be applauded,” Mr Matlala said.

Speaking on the future challenges in agriculture and the role of universities, Mr Hans van der Merwe, Executive Head of Agri SA said that South Africa has not spent money on agricultural development in a long time. “We must increase our product capacity in the agricultural sector. Universities must focus on cultivating enough expertise and the skills necessary to manage the resources and capacity needed," he said. In his view, South Africa must also focus on technological advancement in agriculture as this has also been neglected in the past. He urged universities to provide best-practice education and to look at international trends in agricultural training. “That is why we should not only focus our attention on South Africa, but on southern Africa,” Mr van der Merwe said.

In conclusion to the day’s programme, Mr Corwyn Botha, Chairperson of the Agricultural Business Chamber, Managing Director of the Cape Agri Group and former Kovsie stated that: “If you want to be an example of leadership, people around you must do better because you are there. A university should evaluate itself in this context. You cannot create solutions to problems with the same attitude in which the problems were created."

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
28 November 2008

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