University of the Free State PhD candidate named agriculturalist of the year
Pieter Bruwer, a doctoral student at the University of the Free State (UFS), was recently announced Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) Agriculturalist of the Year.
The focus of this award, recognising excellence in the agricultural sector in South Africa, was on extension services in agriculture and the important role of disseminating information throughout the industry, according to Liza Bohlmann, chairperson of AWSA. She says the award is made to persons who have made it their life’s work to contribute to the sustainability of agriculture in South Africa.
Candidates considered for this award were assessed on their work in the agricultural sector. They were evaluated on their essence, principles, value systems, and life ethics, as well as their local and international status. Bruwer has dedicated a large part of his life and professional career to researching and promoting sustainable practices in agriculture. “This award is in recognition of years of dedication,” he says.
Contributing to sustainable agriculture
An extension officer and agronomist at Langfontein Seeds in Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, Bruwer is working on his PhD in the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Extension and Rural Development at the UFS. Here he investigates, among others, the importance of true scientific research results, the effective dissemination thereof, and the potentially devastating impact of pseudo-science on sustainable agriculture.
“I am determining whether there is a communication gap between agricultural researchers and producers in our country. I investigate why and how pseudo-science slipped in through the back door. If we can determine the reasons and find alternative ways to effectively disseminate scientific results from the researcher right through to the producer, we would not have to be concerned about the quality and validity of information. That can only positively contribute towards sustainable agriculture,” states Bruwer.
One of the highlights of his PhD studies is the people crossing his path. “They have changed my perspective on life. What an eye-opener,” says Bruwer who, even before he started his studies at the UFS, believed “the university has the best Faculty of Agriculture in the country”.
He indicates that he spent the best years of his life at the UFS. When he had to decide on a university for his postgraduate studies, he did not even consider any other university. “I am still of the same opinion regarding the faculty and my supervisors (Prof Johan van Niekerk and Dr JW Swanepoel), as well as other personnel from the centre. These staff members are highly skilled, motivated, and energetic individuals and I get most of my passion and drive directly from them. World-class!” All three of his children studied at the UFS. Marisna completed an LLB, Etienne the degree BScAgricHons, and Hannes an MComm.
Believing that there is a bright future for agriculture in South Africa and the rest of the world, Bruwer says the importance of tertiary institutions such as the UFS cannot be overemphasised. “The university has the resources and ideal infrastructure to complete the agricultural scientific dissemination chain from researcher and lecturer to student, who then subsequently develops into a sustainable producer or agriculturalist. Only the academic institutions can truly form and shape young agricultural professionals.”
Passionate about agriculture
Since his childhood, Bruwer has always been passionate about agriculture. After completing his BScAgricHons at the UFS, and after farming with crops and livestock for many years, he started working as an agronomist at Langfontein Seeds, part of a large commercial farming operation in the Wakkerstroom area. Here he developed as a crop production specialist in maize, soybeans, dry beans, wheat, and certain pastures.
“This is where I became aware of the importance of soil and crop management, which is so important to the concept of sustainable food production all over the world. We have created a model where we advise on the farmer’s complete cycle of crop production by managing the soil, crop nutrition, and crop protection – right through to harvesting,” he says.
He also enjoys his work in the advisory field. “It starts with the analysis of soil and the subsequent calculating of crop production potential, responsible recommendations and application of our organic and inorganic resources and finding solutions for all the practical implications during the growth cycle – unique to each and every year.”
“Food security is an absolute priority and sustainability is non-negotiable,” he says, adding that at Langfontein Seeds – a leader in the concept of sustainable agriculture – “we believe that food security starts with every individual who goes to work with a happy heart in the morning.”