Tuesday, June 24, 2025
SUBSCRIBE
21 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Food For Mzansi
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi
No Result
View All Result
in News

Western Cape showcases top innovation and agri tech at WOW Day

Staff Reporterby Staff Reporter
10th November 2020
The agriculture sector needs innovative technologies to remain competitive and solve new problems that the sector faces, believes the Western Cape department of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi

The agriculture sector needs innovative technologies to remain competitive and solve new problems that the sector faces, believes the Western Cape department of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

The world as we know it has become intelligent, said Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, the head of the Western Cape department of agriculture, during its WOW Day held at Elsenburg in Stellenbosch today.

The department highlighted the many innovations and technologies developed for the province. Fourteen new innovations and agri tech applications were presented, showcasing novel approaches to improved service delivery

Sebopetsa said, “We need new and innovative technologies to remain competitive and solve new problems that the sector faces.  It is motivating to see the out of the box innovations we are developing to ensure growth and jobs in this sunrise sector.”

Featured from the left is Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, Ashia Petersen and Dr Ivan Meyer from the Western Cape departement of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi
Featured from the left is Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, Ashia Petersen and Dr Ivan Meyer from the Western Cape departement of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi

In his opening address, presented virtually, Dr Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape minister of agriculture, said, “We are seeing many farmers embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and using innovation and technology very successfully in their business, with good results. There are many innovations in both plant and animal science and it can reduce input costs and help farmers to farm effectively. Agricultural stakeholders should embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its technology and innovation as this is the future of agriculture in South Africa.”

Innovations and technologies showcased:

  • Fruitlook: an application that supports farmers in improving their water use efficiency and overall quality of yield.
  • CapeFarmMapper: an online mapping tool designed to improve the spatial information available in order to increase efficiency through foresight for decision making in the fields of agriculture and environmental management. Both Fruitlook and CapeFarmMapper have seen a number of additions since its inception and has an increased user database.
  • Novel technologies in research: from transistors to lasers and enhancements in agricultural research. The fleet of drones, including the latest spray drone was also on display.
  • Water and energy saving technologiesreducing the departments’ own carbon footprint.
  • AgriStats portal: a comprehensive web-based agricultural statistics portal designed to assist with farm business planning and decision making.
  • Agricultural Information Management System (AIMS): a work flow based system with different data input and capture methods with a strong spatial component that aims to improve the department’s decision making through business intelligence and inform its strategies to deliver improved and quality service delivery.
  • Rural safety monitoring dashboard:  a brand-new interactive digital platform making use of a combination of technology tools i.e. mobile-and web-mapping applications. It aims to improve rural safety within rural and agricultural communities across the province – all towards an overall improved, protected and safe agricultural environment.
  • Landcare River Restoration: improving and restoring the ecological infrastructure on which farming communities is so highly dependent, such as the promotion of the planting of indigenous trees, as well as alien clearing.
  • Bi-annual Disaster Risk assessments: This assessing the conditions of the veld and start building a baseline, which can be utilised as an early warning system.
  • E-Learning platform established by the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, in order to save the academic year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.  This online learning tool is designed to assist students to stay abreast with all content, assignments and academic information.
  • Diploma in Agriculture: a three-year diploma developed by theElsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, replacing the two-year Higher Certificate and one-year Diploma.  Accreditation was obtained in October 2019 from SAQA. In obtaining this diploma, the graduate gains the best knowledge, skills and attitude to function within any sphere of agriculture.
  • eCOS:  an online export certificate office management tool in its development phase to assist with information needed during the process of export certification and market access with various functionalities.
  • Embracing the future – a novel approach followed by the department to plan its future.  The department hopes to maximise its mandate within the constraints of its external environment and highlighted the various ways in which it hopes to support the sector.
  • A number of communication tools (i.e. AgriProbe, Careers in Agriculture)on how information is shared with stakeholders.

Through new innovations and technology the Western Cape department of agriculture aims to deliver jobs, ensure safety and promote dignity and wellbeing for all agricultural stakeholders.

Join Food For Mzansi's WhatsApp channel for the latest updates!

JOIN NOW!

Pictures: WOW Day in full colour

Featured from the left is Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, Ashia Petersen and Dr Ivan Meyer from the Western Cape departement of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi
Featured from the left is Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, Ashia Petersen and Dr Ivan Meyer from the Western Cape departement of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi
The agriculture sector needs innovative technologies to remain competitive and solve new problems that the sector faces, believes the Western Cape department of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi
The agriculture sector needs innovative technologies to remain competitive and solve new problems that the sector faces, believes the Western Cape department of agriculture. Photo: Food For Mzansi

Related Posts

Export opportunities shine bright for Mzansi farmers in 2024

Wesgro hails China’s zero-tariff trade boost for Africa

24th June 2025
Grain industry cheers as Leaf Services gets the boot

Grain industry cheers as Leaf Services gets the boot

23rd June 2025
Tractor rollout powers up struggling KZN farmers

This week’s agri events: 24 – 27 June

23rd June 2025

New multi-million rand wine fund backs black-owned brands

KZN MEC urges fast-tracking of key Ndwedwe projects

New 10-year strategy sets vision for Africa’s agri future

Agribusiness confidence slips amid trade and disease worries

High trade tariffs loom if Agoa deal fails

Export opportunities shine bright for Mzansi farmers in 2024
News

Wesgro hails China’s zero-tariff trade boost for Africa

by Staff Reporter
24th June 2025

China is waiving tariffs for 53 African countries – and Wesgro is ready to act. CEO Wrenelle Stander says this...

Read moreDetails
Maditsi’s high school hustle becomes promising poultry venture

Maditsi’s high school hustle becomes promising poultry venture

23rd June 2025
Grain industry cheers as Leaf Services gets the boot

Grain industry cheers as Leaf Services gets the boot

23rd June 2025
Tractor rollout powers up struggling KZN farmers

This week’s agri events: 24 – 27 June

23rd June 2025
Rangelands under pressure: Saving SA’s grazing heartland

Rangelands under pressure: Saving SA’s grazing heartland

22nd June 2025

How to compile a winning agribusiness plan

KZN MEC urges fast-tracking of key Ndwedwe projects

Wesgro hails China’s zero-tariff trade boost for Africa

Cash still rules farming, but smart financing drives growth

WC farmers: Sign up for free green help desks to power your farm

Join Food For Mzansi's WhatsApp channel for the latest updates!

JOIN NOW!

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

How to compile a winning agribusiness plan

Mzansi on the menu: SA flavours shine at Africa Food Show

Closed doors: Young farmers still left out of agri power circles

Wesgro hails China’s zero-tariff trade boost for Africa

Maditsi’s high school hustle becomes promising poultry venture

Grain industry cheers as Leaf Services gets the boot

  • Awards & Global Impact
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

  • Awards & Global Impact
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2024 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.