By Grethe Bestbier For Dr Esmé Louw, newly appointed chair of the Stellenbosch University Department of Horticultural Science, the chance to make a real and tangible impact in the industry is just one of the things that excite her about…
A new look, new tenants, a new shared vision and a new name. This is the story of the Winter Cereal Building Block 6 on Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Welgevallen experimental farm. The building reopened last week after extensive renovation work,…
Hortgro Science hosted its annual Thank You Breakfast on Friday, 28 November 2025, at STIAS in Stellenbosch, bringing together researchers, students, partners, and industry leaders to reflect on the year’s achievements and celebrate outstanding academic contributions. Guests were welcomed with…
After 44 years in the deciduous fruit industry, Hugh Campbell retires as Hortgro Technical General Manager to begin a new career phase. He spoke to Anna Mouton. On a Sunday afternoon in 1976, a young Hugh Campbell lined up with…
Die Goosens beskou Tifany as een van die beste plaaslike nektariens weens dié kultivar se uitnemende vruggrootte. Deur Anna Mouton. Hortgro Science het ‘n Demonstrasieboordprogram vir steenvrugte geloods om produsente aan bestaande innoverende en suksesvolle boorde bekend te stel waaruit…
By Hugh Campbell – GM Hortgro Science I was recently given two publication of interest. The first publication is titled: “The changing face of South African science. SciSTIP STI Indicator Report no 1” edited by Johann Mouton and Robert Tijssen…
This year HORTGRO is contributing R3,7 million in bursaries and training at higher education institutions nationwide, including Stellenbosch University, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Elsenburg, and the universities of Limpopo, Pretoria and Free State.
In an effort to inform interested growers, researchers, and other industry stakeholders of the scope, context, and content of Hortgro Science’s research offering, a Showcase was held in Stellenbosch last week. Despite buckets of rain and plummeting temperatures the three-day…
To present years of work in five minutes is a big challenge for anyone. Yet, that is precisely what Hortgro Science asked researchers to do at this year’s Research Showcase. This was only the second time that the Showcase was…
How Hortgro Science Prioritises and Manages Industry-Funded Research Projects, by Anna Mouton. On the first Tuesday in June 2025, more than 300 members of the deciduous-fruit industry gathered at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West for the opening of…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp As early as 2500 BC, Sumerian farmers used sulphur to control insects and mites on their crops, illustrating the long history of the use of chemicals in agriculture. Today, the drive to do away with agrichemicals has…
HORTGRO Science recently held an Irrigation Seminar at Allée Bleue in Groot Drakenstein. The seminar was held to address the current drought conditions in the Western Cape, and to provide producers with coping strategies. To view all the complete presentations,…