ARC PERSPECTIVE ON THE BIEN DONNE AGRI CAPE WEEK EXPO

By Dr. Shadrack R. Moephuli, ARC President and Chief Executive Officer

The Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo will be presented for the 68th time this year. This event has, since 1942, established itself as one of the most prestigious events on the South African Agricultural calendar. Naturally one realises that change and rejuvenation are necessary, considering such a long-running event. We therefore decided on a complete make-over. First, we're pleased to introduce to our important stakeholders the ARC's new partners for the Expo, the Agri Mega Group. This partnership means the ARC and the Agri Mega Group will take responsibility for presenting the ARC's Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo from now onwards.

In this partnership we have also changed the name of the Expo; which will be known as the "Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo." We have also taken note of our stakeholders' comments over the years about the timing of the event. So as to accommodate our farming community we have changed the date of the event to occur in May, starting in 2011. We believe these changes will allow for maximum participation by all communities, especially in the Western Cape.

The new Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo is a far cry from what its predecessor was 20 or 50 years ago. We now make provision for growers, farm workers, exhibitors, the youth and most definitely also for new entrants into farming, particularly the resource poor farmers. All of these are reflected in the programme of the Expo. Of particular note is our greater emphasis on training workshops that provide opportunities to learn about discoveries and information generated by the research emanating from the ARC.

The huge need for the Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo was very aptly demonstrated last year when scores of exhibitors and producers enquired why the Expo did not occur during its traditional first week in November slot. It was consequently gratifying to inform our loyal supporters that the event will be taking place, but at an earlier date.

We were astonished that more than 200 exhibitors have subsequently booked their stands at Bien Donné. However, one of the outstanding characteristics of the previous Expos, which were held at Bien Donné, was the loyalty of its long-standing exhibitors. The ARC appreciates their support and undertakes to create a favourable environment which would be conducive to their enterprises.

We, as the ARC, regard the Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo as an important bridge between research, technology transfer, and practical agriculture. The exhibitors, demonstrations, and workshops will therefore take this into account. It is important to demonstrate to the ARC's clients, and other role-players in agriculture, how research and development contributes to the success of their business, what kind of information and services are available, and to provide a platform for the researchers behind these technological tools. One can therefore regard this Expo as an important technology transfer vehicle.

The relationship with our new partner, the Agri Mega Group, will emphasize the contribution and role of the ARC. It is, for example, important that visitors take cognisance of the fact that Bien Donné is one of the ARC's Research Farms and that the bulk of research concerning the development of new deciduous fruit cultivars is conducted on this particular farm.

Bien Donné Agri Cape Week Expo focuses mainly on horticultural crops i.e. fruit, including alternative fruits such as pomegranates and berries, grapes and wine, vegetables and flowers.

ARC as a whole, has a particular interest in the expo. It is envisaged that the rejuvenated Expo will enable the researchers to showcase important research findings, demonstrate their services and display their products such as wine, wheat cultivars, livestock products, engineering discoveries, soil and climate analyses, and new deciduous fruit cultivars, to name but a few. The interaction and networking opportunities with clients and other role-players is one of the most important derivatives of the event. Most of our clients are familiar with the ARC. However, new entrants, especially previously disadvantaged growers, are unaware of how the ARC can assist them, please engage with the ARC and I'm quite certain we can find the right solution for your farming problem.

A significant portion of our research is funded by Agricultural Sector Commodity Associations and the Government through a Parliamentary Grant. We therefore regard the Expo at Bien Donné as an opportunity to demonstrate to the agriculture-based community that the ARC's research and technology transfer activities are of a high standard and relevant to the needs of South Africa's agricultural sector.

It is our vision that all the participants should regard the Expo as a positive experience, for all the exhibitors to interact and to practice their business, for producers to access the newest technology, for farm workers to develop their knowledge and skills, for young people to see the opportunities in agriculture, and for ARC researchers to showcase their achievements and services.

We are proud to be the owner of the historic Bien Donné Research Farm, proud of the research and development we conduct and proud to be the owner of this Expo. We therefore wish to incorporate our vision of excellence in research and development, into this Expo in order to make it unique and rewarding.

Please enjoy the Expo.