Agricultural Research Council

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The Agricultural Research Council is a premier science institution that conducts research with partners, develops human capital and fosters innovation to support and develop the agricultural sector.

 : Impact & outcomes. Delivering Impact Through Agroecology. Agroecology is helping farmers produce healthy food while p...
31/07/2026

: Impact & outcomes.

Delivering Impact Through Agroecology.

Agroecology is helping farmers produce healthy food while protecting the land they depend on. By using practices such as crop rotation, composting and natural pest control, farmers can improve soil health, protect plants and animals, use natural resources wisely, and better cope with changing weather conditions.

The impact goes beyond the farm. Agroecology creates opportunities for women and young people through training, practical skills and income-generating activities, helping families strengthen their livelihoods and improving food security in local communities.

As more farmers adopt these farming practices, the benefits continue to grow. Healthier soils, improved harvests, stronger local economies and better food security are helping to create farming communities that are better prepared for the future.

Celebrating the harvest while growing knowledge. 🌱🥔The ARC, in partnership with the University of Pretoria, the Departme...
30/07/2026

Celebrating the harvest while growing knowledge. 🌱🥔

The ARC, in partnership with the University of Pretoria, the Department of Agriculture, and Agrobiologicals for Sub-Saharan Africa, hosted a Harvest Day that brought together farmers, researchers, industry partners and agricultural practitioners to celebrate the season's harvest and share practical knowledge.

The programme covered enterprise development, sustainable agricultural growth, market access and potato production, followed by visits to the ARC's potato value chain stations, where participants explored research on seed pipelines, breeding, agronomy, pests and diseases. The Harvest Day created an opportunity for learning, networking and connecting farmers with the research that supports productive and sustainable agriculture.

 : Knowledge share Fruit flies are among the most destructive insect pests affecting fruit production worldwide. They da...
30/07/2026

: Knowledge share

Fruit flies are among the most destructive insect pests affecting fruit production worldwide. They damage fruit through egg-laying and larval development, increase production costs due to control measures, and limit access to valuable export markets.

Through research, innovation and technology transfer, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is developing practical, science-based solutions to support sustainable fruit fly management. From surveillance and monitoring to integrated pest management strategies and stakeholder engagement, the ARC is helping protect South Africa’s fruit industry, improve market access, and strengthen the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

  | People of The ARCMeet Dr Itumeleng T. BaloyiBefore a plant-based ingredient can be used in cosmetics or complementar...
29/07/2026

| People of The ARC

Meet Dr Itumeleng T. Baloyi

Before a plant-based ingredient can be used in cosmetics or complementary medicines, it needs evidence to support it.

That’s where Dr Itumeleng T. Baloyi comes in.

As a researcher at the ARC’s Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants campus, she generates the scientific data that helps universities and SMMEs take innovative products from research to market.

Her work also explores the potential of natural products in addressing diabetes, antimicrobial resistance and dysmenorrhoea.

From the laboratory to international scientific platforms, Dr Baloyi is helping ensure that South Africa’s rich plant biodiversity is translated into knowledge that benefits people and industry.

This week, the Agricultural Research Council is participating in Mondi National Science Week in Mkondo, Mpumalanga, wher...
29/07/2026

This week, the Agricultural Research Council is participating in Mondi National Science Week in Mkondo, Mpumalanga, where we are inspiring learners to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities, learners are discovering how scientific research strengthens food security and supports the livelihoods of millions of South Africans.

  : Field & Farm Every successful harvest begins with the right seed. Through the National Cultivar Evaluation Programme...
28/07/2026

: Field & Farm

Every successful harvest begins with the right seed. Through the National Cultivar Evaluation Programme (NCEP), the Agricultural Research Council – Small Grain evaluates cultivars across diverse production environments to assess their yield potential, adaptability, disease resistance and quality under local conditions.

This work is made possible by dedicated researchers, technicians and support staff who spend months planting, monitoring and evaluating cultivars to generate independent, science-based data. The results guide farmers in selecting the most suitable cultivars for their production areas, reducing risk, improving productivity and ensuring access to high-quality seed.
By supporting informed decision-making and advancing cultivar development, the programme strengthens the competitiveness of South Africa’s grain industry, promotes sustainable agricultural production and contributes to national food security.

Dr David Simelane will be on SABC Channel Africa this morning discussing the world’s first biological control agent appr...
28/07/2026

Dr David Simelane will be on SABC Channel Africa this morning discussing the world’s first biological control agent approved for release against poisonous ink berries (Cestrum species).

đź“… 28 July 2026
đź•™ 10:10 AM
📺 The Journal with Mmatsheko Mosito

Tune in to learn how ARC research is advancing environmentally responsible solutions for invasive plant management.

 : Research in Focus. Researchers from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Animal Production (AP) campus are introdu...
27/07/2026

: Research in Focus.

Researchers from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Animal Production (AP) campus are introducing hydroponic fodder sprout technology to smallholder farmers as an alternative way to produce fresh, nutritious feed for their livestock throughout the year.

Hydroponic fodder is grown without soil. Instead, seeds are placed in a controlled environment where they sprout using only a small amount of water. In just a few days, they produce fresh green fodder that can be fed directly to livestock.

This technology is particularly valuable in South Africa’s dry and water-scarce areas, where access to land and water can make it difficult for farmers to grow enough feed for their animals. By using hydroponic systems, farmers can produce nutritious fodder in a small space while using far less water than traditional methods. This helps ensure a reliable supply of feed, even during the dry season.

The fresh sprouts are rich in nutrients and are easier for livestock to digest, allowing animals to make better use of the feed they consume. Research has also shown that feeding hydroponic fodder can help reduce methane emissions from livestock, contributing to more environmentally responsible farming practices.

 : Impact & outcomes. Research only has value when it solves real problems.The TELA™️ Maize Project focuses on one of th...
24/07/2026

: Impact & outcomes.

Research only has value when it solves real problems.

The TELA™️ Maize Project focuses on one of the biggest challenges facing maize production: drought and insect damage. Through years of research and collaboration, the project has developed drought tolerant and insect protected maize varieties that can help farmers produce more reliable harvests under difficult conditions.

This is how the ARC translates research into practical solutions that support sustainable agriculture and food production.

Address

1134 Park Street, Hatfield
Pretoria
0001

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 - 16:00
Tuesday 07:30 - 16:00
Wednesday 07:30 - 16:00
Thursday 07:30 - 16:00
Friday 07:30 - 16:00

Telephone

+27124279700

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