WUSA renews SU Chair in Plant Health to tackle agriculture's key challenges through training and research

WinField United South Africa (WUSA) has renewed its partnership with Stellenbosch University’s Chair in Plant Health for a third consecutive three-year term. The multi-year investment of more than R24.5 million drives applied agricultural research and the training of South African agronomists to deliver immediate value at farm and industry level. To date, the Chair has supported 100 bursaries, mostly at postgraduate level.

According to WUSA CEO Jan Vermaak, the renewal reflects a strategic focus on sustainability. “Long-term agricultural sustainability cannot be built on short-term solutions. This Chair represents a deliberate investment in people, knowledge and independent research that delivers value across seasons.”

Vermaak says the Chair ensures that academic research is directly linked to real-world production challenges. “In crop management, we cannot afford to be followers. Research must begin long before products reach the market, and that requires continuous collaboration between industry and academia.”

FROM ACADEMIC THEORY TO INDUSTRY IMPACT

Prof Nick Kotzé from the Department of Agronomy at Stellenbosch University says the strength of the Chair lies in its industry relevance.

“Our research does not happen in isolation. Students work on real industry challenges, often in direct collaboration with the sector, gaining practical experience alongside formal qualifications. The ultimate goal is to help growers improve weed and disease control, use inputs more effectively and farm more sustainably.”

Research conducted under the Chair has already addressed critical challenges such as fall armyworm in Africa, herbicide resistance, fungicide sensitivity and environmentally responsible alternatives. One ongoing project focuses on identifying alternatives to cyanide-based products used to synchronise bud break in crops such as apples and vineyards – products that are increasingly under regulatory pressure in the European Union.

Kotzé says initial trials have delivered promising results, with products recently identified in Europe scheduled for local testing in 2026.

An annual student presentation forum allows students to present their work to a mixed panel of academics and industry representatives. “It gives students exposure to industry expectations, while allowing us to identify and develop future talent,” says Vermaak.

A NEUTRAL PLATFORM FOR COMPLEX ISSUES

A key strength of the Chair is its independence. While WUSA provides the funding, Stellenbosch University determines the research agenda, creating a neutral platform for industry-wide challenges.

Kotzé believes independent research is particularly critical in areas such as resistance management, where incorrect or excessive chemical use can have long-term consequences. Recent work on annual ryegrass in the Western Cape illustrates this approach, focusing on the extent, causes and mechanisms of herbicide resistance.

The roots of the Chair date back more than 15 years, when Villa Crop Protection first recognised that sustainable growth would not be possible without structured, applied training for agronomists. This vision was formalised in 2012 with the establishment of the Villa Academy, led by Dr André Schreuder. However, as the initiative gained momentum, the need for a neutral academic home for broader impact became clear.

Under the leadership of Marius Boshoff, Managing Director of Villa Crop Protection, and Dr Schreuder, the decision was taken to transition the project to Stellenbosch University – laying the foundation for the current Chair under the WUSA banner.

DEVELOPING SKILLS FOR A CHANGING SECTOR

For Vermaak, the Chair is ultimately about people: “Agronomists and Crop Advisors are a scarce skill in South Africa. Long-term sponsorship enables accredited, structured training, which creates far more value than short-term project funding.”

Boshoff agrees, explaining: “Over many years, the foundation established through the Villa Academy and now housed at the University has enabled the certification of numerous short courses designed to support industry needs, particularly the Continuous Professional Development requirements of Crop Advisors under CropLife South Africa. Beyond technical competence, young professionals entering the sector also benefit from expanded training opportunities in leadership, project management and financial management offered through the Agri Leadership short-course stream. This helps prepare the next generation of specialists for a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape.”

Villa Crop Protection’s Manager for Research, Development and Innovation, Johan Huyser, says the partnership has played an important role in repositioning the Crop Advisor profession. “The outdated perception of the ‘chemical salesman’ is both unfair and dangerous. Today’s Crop Advisors are highly trained specialists who understand products at a molecular level and know how to apply them responsibly.”

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

As climate change increases production uncertainty, the Chair is also supporting a shift towards data-driven decision-making, including climate-smart practices, modelling and advanced forecasting.

“We are seeing a strong move towards integrated, data-driven expertise,” says Vermaak. “It’s no longer just about plant health, but about how multiple factors come together to manage risk and protect yields.”

Boshoff also welcomes the opportunity to further broaden collaboration with Stellenbosch University. “As we enter a new era of digital- and AI-driven intelligence in crop management, we are working together to drive innovation towards a more sustainable agricultural future. Villa Crop Protection is also actively collaborating with TerraClim, a Stellenbosch University initiative focused on climate-smart agricultural platforms, to equip farmers and industry stakeholders across South Africa with advanced climate insights that enhance decision-making and long-term resilience.”

Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at Stellenbosch University, says the renewed partnership highlights the importance of collaboration between universities and the private sector.

“This Chair supports one of our strategic research focus areas, namely the natural environment. It is an excellent example of academic work connected to real-world needs, benefiting students, the university and the broader agricultural sector, particularly in the context of food security.”

One hundred bursaries later, for WUSA, the long-term objective remains clear: driving agricultural progress through knowledge, people and solutions.

PHOTO CAPTIONJan Vermaak, Chief Executive Officer of WUSA; Prof Nick Kotzé from the Department of Agronomy at Stellenbosch University; and Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, at the signing of the renewed sponsorship agreement for the Chair in Plant Health within the Department of Agronomy.