The research that we fund focuses on generating new knowledge, technologies or practices that are required to mitigate, avoid or overcome threats and risks and to leverage opportunities.
Our primary objective is to keep South African pome and stone fruit growers internationally competitive and economically sustainable.
Science Team
Matthew Addison
Crop Protection programme manager
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Hugh Campbell
General Manager: Hortgro Technical
Prof Wiehann Steyn
General Manager: Hortgro Science
Marno van der Westhuizen
Research Implementation Manager
Elise-Marie Steenkamp
Group Communications Manager
Anita van Staden
Research Administrator
Kyra Rensburg
Digital Media Specialist
Dr Renate Smit
Phytosanitary facility manager and researcher
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Terence Asia
Crop Protection Technical Assistant
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Dr Minette Karsten
Researcher in Applied Entomology
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
(positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Dr Nanike Esterhuizen
Entomology Technician (positioned at Stellenbosch University)
Dr Mariana Jooste
Postharvest Programme Manager
Hortgro Science Advisory Council
Objectives of the Hortgro Science Advisory Council
- Assist programme with formulation of strategic research planning in defined areas of research
- Identify new technologies of relevance
- Seek collaborative research opportunities across local and international research/technical organisations
- Seek funding opportunities to ensure inputs into targeted research focus areas
- Meetings as required
- Advisory to programme manager
- Stephen Rabe – Chair
- Grant Smuts – Vice-Chair
- Linde du Toit
- Frikkie Jacobs
- Raymond Koopstad
- Charl Stander
- Prof Karen Theron
- Dr Ilse Trautmann
- James Hutton-Squire
- Gerrit van der Merwe
- Graeme Krige
- Anton Rabe (observer)
- Cynthia Mahlathi (observer)