Extension and Biosecurity

THE EXTENSION SERVICE

One of the main strengths of SASRI is our in-house extension service. A group of around 20 individual Extension Specialists are located throughout the South African sugar industry, offering advice, support and research outcomes to growers.

The SASRI Extension Service plays an integral part in the SASRI Research Programmes by communicating stakeholder needs to SASRI so that an appropriate research programme can be developed. They facilitate effective technology exchange and enable growers to access a wide range of relevant support services.

THE BIOSECURITY SERVICE

The Biosecurity Inspectorate acts together with Local Pest, Disease and Variety Control Committees to prevent or minimise loss and damage caused by pests and diseases by identifying biosecurity hazards and implementing the required procedures to mitigate damage and loss. They ensure that varieties planted in each control area conform to the annual list of cane varieties gazetted for the specific area and also promote industry awareness of biosecurity and biorisk through communication and liaison with all stakeholders, including Government and SADC partners. Find out what varieties are gazetted for your region.

Extension and Biosecurity Staff

Sifiso Thwala

Sifiso Thwala

SSG Extension Specialist

Mboniseni Buthelezi

Mboniseni Buthelezi

Extension Specialist

Karlien Trumpelmann

Karlien Trumpelmann

Biosecurity Officer

Wilan Nieuwenhuizen

Wilan Nieuwenhuizen

Extension Specialist

Buhle Khomo

Buhle Khomo

Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Sifiso Thwala

Sifiso Thwala

SSG Extension Specialist

Jan Erasmus

Jan Erasmus

Extension Specialist

Mboniseni Buthelezi

Mboniseni Buthelezi

Extension Specialist

Karlien Trumpelmann

Karlien Trumpelmann

Biosecurity Officer

David Wilkinson

David Wilkinson

Acting Extension Manager Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Janet Edmonds

Janet Edmonds

Biosecurity Officer

Paul Botha

Paul Botha

Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Bongiwe Chonco

Bongiwe Chonco

SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Winile Shelembe

Winile Shelembe

Extension Specialist (EVA, SSG, LRG)

Thulani Masondo

Thulani Masondo

SSG & LRG Extension Manager

Maphilisi Zulu

Maphilisi Zulu

Extension Specialist (Land Reform)

Thobeka Khumalo

Thobeka Khumalo

Biosecurity Officer

Phillemon Sithole

Phillemon Sithole

Extension Specialist: North Coast

Tulani Velem

Tulani Velem

Extension Technician: North Coast

Etienne De Beer

Etienne De Beer

Extension Specialist/ P&D Officer

Norman Mkhabela

Norman Mkhabela

SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Joe Nkala

Joe Nkala

Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Mzomuhle Mnguni

Mzomuhle Mnguni

Biosecurity Officer

Bongiwe Chonco

Bongiwe Chonco

SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Jeffrey Foxon

Jeffrey Foxon

Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Norman Mkhabela

Norman Mkhabela

SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Tshifhiwa Radzilani

Tshifhiwa Radzilani

Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

Vusumuzi Mntungwa

Vusumuzi Mntungwa

Biosecurity Officer

Jotham Maduna

Jotham Maduna

Biosecurity Technician

Sifiso Hlela

Sifiso Hlela

SSG/LRG Extension Specialist

Ruth Rhodes

Ruth Rhodes

Extension Specialist / P&D Officer

PESTS AND DISEASES UNDER SURVEILLANCE

There are a number of exotic pests and diseases (not indigenous to South Africa) that present a threat to our industry. Please keep a look out for these threats.

Chilo saccariphagus stalk borer

Not yet in South Africa

Orange Rust

Fall Army Worm

Not in sugarcane

Thank you for helping us keep track of these pests. Call the Biosecurity Hotline on: +27 (0)31 508 7459 or 7544