The ARC was established in 1992 and its eleven campuses are largely a continuation of that which was previously originated and developed by the then Department of Agriculture (DoA). By placing agricultural research in South Africa on an independent trajectory, greater scope was provided than is possible within the public service.

In the words of the first President of the ARC, Dr AJ Heyns, "The ARC institutions' target in the past was largely restricted to the commercial farmer in South Africa. Without neglecting this sector of the agricultural sector, the ARC would in future also have to fulfil its responsibilities to other sectors of the agricultural industry, namely the smallholder and subsistence farmers both inside and outside the boundaries of SA. In this way, it will be able to contribute to the development and progress of the entire population of the subcontinent".

The ARC has, in the thirty years of democracy, fulfilled its responsibilities in an extraordinary way as seen from the highlights of each campus, below. We will be embarking on a series over the next few weeks, telling the story of how the Agricultural Research Council has, over the past three decades, committed to agricultural excellence for the betterment of the South African population.

ARC-INFRUITEC-NIETVOORBIJ PEACHES RESEARCH

Sulphur dioxide usage within the South African Dried Fruit Industry

Fresh fruits and vegetables have a high moisture content (> 80%), which makes them highly susceptible to spoilage. Throughout the years, it has been shown that drying fruit is one of the most economical ways to preserve its nutritional value and quality while also increasing its shelf life and making these fruits more accessible to customers, particularly in rural areas. However, fresh-cut fruit might be prone to enzymatic browning during drying, which makes it less appealing to consumers. Nonetheless, sulphuring can prevent enzymatic browning in dried fruits intended for long-term preservation and storage. However, because sulphuring can have negative health consequences on some consumers, for example consuming dried fruits that contain sulphite might cause asthma attacks in those who are allergic. Furthermore, there is a growing desire from some consumers and government policymakers for more stringent regulations about residual chemicals in food production. Consequently, a transition from sulphur dioxide (SO₂) to alternate methods is necessary. One such method could be treating fresh-cut fruits with Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) substances before they are dried. To tackle this problem, the industry is looking into substitute techniques that can keep dried fruits' colour and shelf life without using sulphur. However, there is no one-size-fits-all method for drying fruit because it is a complex process. Every fruit variety including pome fruit (apples, pears, etc.) and stone fruit (peaches, apricots, plums, etc.) has distinct qualities. As a result, the drying process must be customised to guarantee that the finished product fulfils the required quality criteria. Following this, the Agri-Food Systems & Processing group within the Post-harvest & Agro-Processing Technologies research team, Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Infruitec-Nietvoorbij's has been studying organic acids, such as benzoic, citric, formic, lactic, and propionic acid, among others, that can be naturally obtained during the fermentation of carbohydrates along SO₂ as food preservatives. Food security in Sub-Saharan Africa can be aided by using organic acids in dried fruits due to their anti-browning qualities, as customers become more health conscious. Even if using sulphur might cause allergic reactions and harm the environment, it's crucial to recognise that SO2 has advantages when it comes to producing dried fruit. It is a vital component in guaranteeing the safety and quality of dried fruit products because it is known to improve the fruit's colour, give it an attractive appearance, and suppress microbial activity. This research team wants to support the long-term viability of the dried fruit sector in South Africa by identifying substitutes that solve the health and environmental issues related to sulphur while preserving the appearance and quality of dried fruit.

THE PROTEACEAE BREEDING PROGRAM

Protea cynaroides. King protea. South Africa's national flower.

ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij is the proud custodian of the Proteaceae breeding program. This program, in the public domain was initiated in the late 1970's and focuses on woody fynbos plants with floriculture potential: Protea (sugarbushes), Leucadendron (cone bushes) and Leucospermum (pincushions). Most of these plants are endemic to the Cape Floral Kingdom and flourish in the Mediterranean climatic region of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape of South Africa, in coastal and mountainous habitats. However, since their domestication, they have been cultivated in various habitats around the world.

During the past 30 years the ARC released 28 new cultivars with Plant Breeder's Right protection (PBR): 11 Leucadendron, 6 Leucospermum, 10 Protea and 1 Serruria. Furthermore, the ARC also released another 39 cultivars without PBR to assist the new formally cultivated indigenous flower industry with superior material. Indigenous woody flower farmers were only formally recognized as a farming discipline in about 2000. The story of protea as a cut flower started in the 1600s with the beautiful wildflowers been picked from nature and sold on the streets of Cape Town to flowers grown under sophisticated agricultural systems and been sold to buyers around the world as cut flowers and potted plants.

The ARC has not only played a critical role in the development of new cultivars, but also played an important role in the development of technologies to cultivate blemish free flowers: vegetative propagation of plant material, seed germination, establishment of plantations, irrigation, pest control, disease control, pruning, harvesting of flowers, post-harvest handling of flowers, etc.

ARC-NIETVOORBIJ WINE

The Nietvoorbij wine brand showcases the well-known saying 'Birds of a featherflock together' and is a symbol of the ability to soar and explore in the wine industry.

Nietvoorbij, is the internationally acclaimed research farm of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), is synonymous with quality research in oenology and viticulture. Annually, up to 1 000 different wines are made for research purposes in the Experimental cellar. Next door, in the old thatched roof cellar, traditional and modern winemaking methods are combined to create our unique wines for your enjoyment.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUREKA SL (SEEDLESS) LEMON

There has been a desire for seedless fruit in the fresh fruit industry. This is a consumer preference and so one of the aims of the ARC-Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC) Citrus breeding program is to develop new seedless varieties. A seedless lemon is preferred to a seeded lemon for use by the housewife in the kitchen as well as in the food service industry where it is used in bars and restaurants. Lemons are high in vitamin C, fibre and various beneficial plant compounds. These nutrients have several health benefits, they support heart health, protect against kidney stones, cancer and anemia, and help with weight control and digestive health. The Lemon is an attractive yellow fruit. The sour-tangy juice enhances the flavour of many dishes, while the rind contains oil cells filled with aromatic citrus oil. The lemon is a very versatile fruit, as it is used for drinks, fresh juice, cooking and as a flavouring, preservative, and natural cleaning product. Lemons are also used in beauty products and for medical purposes. They ease sunburn and skin rashes and the juice, which is rich in fruit acids and natural sugars, has been used to treat fever and coughs for generations. The ESL cannot be differentiated for other seeded lemons visually. However, they are marked as seedless lemons in the supermarket as they are usually sold for a higher price. As far as we know, only Woolworths sells the seedless lemon at the moment. Most of the seedless lemons are exported. Most of the fruit is exported. The statistics from the 2022 season are available from the Citrus Growers Association, the 2023 season statistics are not published yet. 587 ha of ESL are planted which is 3.27% of the total planted lemon area. In 2022, 1 852 tons of ESL fruit was exported, this is 0.4% of the total lemon export. Many of the new trees planted are young trees and some are not producing yet, which is why the export volume (%) is lower than the planted area (%). The major export destinations are Europe (39% of the exports) and the Middle East (29% of the exports). Eureka seedless lemon is derived from the Eureka lemon variety, so the SL was added for seedless. The trademark name is actually "Eureka! Seedless Lemon", A play on the "Eureka" which means "I have found it".

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THE ARC-TSC NURSERY - PROPAGATION OF FRUIT TREES

There is ample opportunity and good reason for emerging farmers in the warmer subtropical regions of South Africa, to become involved in fruit and nut production. ARC-Tropical and Subtropical Crops (TSC) prioritizes development and trainings for farmers in these regions to ensure that small-scale farmers improve their knowledge of cultivation practices, expand their income and in generating opportunities while also supporting agribusiness development in the country. The benefit of these high-value crops can be derived over many years. These crops are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and beneficial oils which supply a considerable percentage of the daily nutrient requirements and make an important contribution to a balanced diet.

ARC-VEGETABLE, INDUSTRIAL MEDICINAL PLANTS (ARC-VIMP) - AGRO-PROCESSING AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FACILITY

The nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries have shown a renewed interest in medicinal plants and indigenous vegetables used in the production of herbal healthcare formulations, herbal-based cosmetic products, and herbal nutritional supplements. As a result, significant economic gains have been realized through the sale of medicinal plant products on the international market. The competitiveness of South Africa's agriculture industry can be improved by developing products derived from indigenous crops that can be sold as niche products in the local and international market. The agro-processing facility at the ARC-VIMP is involved in product development, quality control and safety of formulated products. The research focus is directed towards developing nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products using a number of commodity crops cultivated and propagated at the VIMP or indigenous to South Africa and other African countries. Overall, the R&D research conducted at the agro-processing facility seeks to develop products for the institution and provide services to IKS-holders, farmers and SMMEs such as packaging (capsules and teabags) and product formulation.

ARC-NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENGINEERING (ARC-NRE) - TRACTOR TESTING LABORATORY – OPTIMISING MECHANISATION COSTS

This laboratory situated at the ARC-Natural Resources and Engineering, Agricultural Engineering campus has been supporting agricultural mechanisation for over 30 years by testing tractor engine power and therefore optimizing mechanisation costs by using the data to plan mechanisation systems properly according to the tractor and implement sizes. This laboratory, the only one in Africa, situated at a height of 1300 meters above sea level, helps farmers to do proper mechanisation planning by using the data of an engine test such as engine power and fuel consumption. Drawbar power is also tested and these data help farmers to match tractors and implemented sizes accordingly.

THE ARC-NRE, AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING CAMPUS SUPPORTS FARMERS WITH IRRIGATION SCHEDULING TOOLS (IST) ADAPTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY

Farmers are feeling the pinch with the effect of climate change and declining resources, calling for measures to implement efficient irrigation water scheduling in their daily operations. Farmers in Limpopo province were trained on the importance of irrigation scheduling, installation, operation and maintenance of the IST's.

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As the ARC celebrates three decades of agricultural innovation, its impact echoes across South Africa and beyond. From pioneering research to empowering farmers, the ARC's legacy is one of resilience, progress, and prosperity. As we look towards the future, let us continue to cultivate success with the ARC, ushering in a new era of agricultural excellence and sustainability. Stay glued to the ARC digital platforms over the next couple of weeks to go down a nostalgic 30-year journey, through our research highlights since the dawn of our democracy.

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