Boost for research
2009-04-02
THE successful Culdevco/Agricultural Research Council (ARC) cultivar commercialisation agreement reached a milestone with the handing over of R1 338 056 from Culdevco to the ARC. This amount will be invested in the research and development of even better cultivars that will contribute to keep South African fruit producers in the lead. Culdevco is the product of the industry’s confidence in ARC’s expertise and the potential of the researchers to develop superior cultivars. With the increase of new cultivars it can no longer be expected that researchers give full attention to breeding and evaluation as well as promotion and commercialising of products. Culdevco symbolises the unique opportunity to create income for research, but at the same time to protect the local producers by giving them an advantage in the competitive world markets. The opportunity to manage the release of cultivars abroad will be promoted. Because of the belief in truly South African tradition of “good taste in fruit” an advanced taste analysis appliance was donated to the ARC to make sure that the best tasting fruit will still be the aim. Exotic fruit will not be the only aim, but also different and better tastes, better resistance against pests and diseases, as well as better nutritional value and composition. The agreement also makes provision for empowerment groups and upcoming farmers to have access to the new cultivars and Culdevco will help with technical support when BEE producers plant these new cultivars.
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