PAST RESEARCH

ARDRI has a long, rich research record, however this research has not been well archived, still less have older materials been made digitally accessible. Reassembling ARDRI’s research record will be pursued as resources allow. Until then, what appears on this page are only research projects concluded in 2014.

‘Developmental Research Activities to Support Food Security in Selected Municipal Districts’

 This is a multi-disciplinary research project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and running from mid-2013 until early 2016. It consists of 13 ‘subprojects’ of which the common denominator is to establish a better understanding of the challenges facing small-scale producers in the Eastern Cape and their possible solutions. The subprojects are led by scientists from the Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, the Department of Agronomy, the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, as well as from Fort Cox Agricultural College. ARDRI is the overall project coordinator. » read more

 ‘Research assistance in support of DAFF's Strategic Plan for Smallholder Support’ – 2013-14

In 2013-14, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) was in the process of developing the Strategic Plan for Smallholder Producers, aimed at strengthening and expanding the smallholder sector. By definition, smallholder producers are those who produce food for home consumption as well as a surplus that is sold in order to derive an income. According to Outcome 7: output 1 and 5, there was a target of 50 000 newly established smallholder producers by 2013/14 and 30% of producers organised into associations or commodity groups for improved market access respectively. Furthermore, the New Growth Path set a target for 300 000 additional smallholders by 2020. » read more