Dr Ilse Trautmann appointed Deputy Director-General of Agricultural Research

Dr Ilse Trautmann was recently appointed as Deputy Director-General: Agricultural Research and Regulatory Services (DDG: ARRS) at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA).

The Branch Agricultural Research and Regulatory Services is one of two branches in the Department and Dr Trautmann is the first incumbent in this post. The Branch includes the programmes Veterinary Services, Research and Technology Development Services, and Agricultural Economic Services, all being the more scientific, technical and regulatory  programmes of the department.

Dr Trautmann is no stranger to the Western Cape agricultural sector. She has been a driving force behind Western Cape agricultural research and technology development in her position as Chief Director of Research and Technology Development Services (RTDS) within the WCDoA for more than a decade and in senior management positions within the Department since 2003.

With a curious mind for all things new in technology and innovation, her deep passion is to improve agriculture through science. She also has a keen interest in technology transfer, from the conventional to the latest online methods and under her leadership the research team excelled at all levels.

Dr Trautmann is a trusted name in the agricultural fraternity. With her profound knowledge and understanding of the sector, as well as the various industries that drive it, she is often sought to give advice and guidance to the industry role-players.  She serves as Board Member of the SA Academy for Science and Arts and of Winetech.  She was also recently invited to serve on the Hortgro Science Advisory Council.

“Ilse is an experienced senior manager and am happy to have her take up this new portfolio.  I believe in science and the programmes within this branch delivers some of the most critical services to the sector, thereby enhancing its  competitiveness. I am excited to see how she puts a stamp on this position, in a uniquely Ilse way,” said Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, Head of Department.

Dr Trautmann voiced her plans for the branch. “I would like to grow this Branch to a new level of service delivery and seek synergies between the three programmes, also on the innovative and technological advanced level. And also foster better partnerships with our other programmes and stakeholders in the sector.

“One of my major focus areas would be people and skills development of the staff in the branch. And my question will remain: What makes our three programmes different to our counterparts in other provinces and how can we better serve our clients in the sector?”

These are certainly exciting times for the WCDoA, with the endless possibilities that innovation and technology has to offer, blended with the powerhouse personality that steers the Agricultural Research and Regulatory Services “ship”.