| Its focus
and thematic areas are aligned with the key strategic areas and thrusts of the
SA National Agriculture and Development Strategy (DoA 2008), particularly human
capital development; innovation and transfer of technology; and collaboration
and partnerships. The work
of the Chair will involve contributing to community development through
research, agricultural innovation and agricultural extension. The work will be
done in partnership with public institutions and other agriculture-supporting
bodies. It is aligned with the Government’s priorities of employment creation food
security, support for smallholder farmers and sustainable livelihoods, rural
wealth creation and skills development. The Chair
will contribute to the development of new technology to support smallholder
farmers in agriculture, and the agricultural industry in general. It will also
contribute towards human capital development through training of postgraduate
students at MSc and PhD levels. The Chair
will have strong links with the existing centres of excellence such as the
African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) and African Centre for Food Security
(ACFS) at UKZN |