USING TECHNOLOGY TO SERVE THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has a team of agricultural experts using novel approaches to address the challenges faced by South African agriculture. The objective of this paper is to describe some of the innovative research and technologies, and methods of technology transfer, used to better serve the agricultural community. The spectrum of technologies implemented includes new research on breeding (biotechnology); new approaches to conservation agriculture; remote sensing satellite and spatial information for improved decision making, such as the spatial intelligence project and FruitLook; Agricultural Integrated Management System; and technology to manage and disseminate information, such as smart (digital) pen and paper technology and Agri-Touch. The paper is an introduction to some of the cutting-edge research and technologies and new methods of communication, information dissemination and decision making support that serves the agricultural community in a tangible way.