PROFFESSIONAL CAREER (summary)

• Research on integrated management of coffee pests with specific emphasis on the white coffee stemborer
• Coordinator of coffee research in South Africa.
• Served on the board of directors of the Southern African Coffee Producers Organisation (SACPO)
• Has represented South Africa at the International Coffee Organisation in London (UK)
• Regularly consult and co-present courses on coffee IPM in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
• Research on integrated management of the banana weevil.
• Research on in vitro breeding of indigenous natural enemies of the stinkbug complex occurring on Macadamia in South Africa.
• Research on a biological approach to insect control in macadamias leading to a P.hD.
• Research on a biological approach to insect control in avocados
• Research on stink bug and tortricid moth control in litchis.
• Conduct registration trials for various chemical companies on an ongoing basis
• Member of the organic agriculture task team of the ARC as well as a member of the insect pathologists working group.
• Acted as a consultant for the Kgarudi tribe regarding the rehabilitation of three former Government estates (Sandford, Injaka and Waterfal).

CURRENT POSITION

Research and extension manager          Macadamias South Africa (2020 – present)

Previous positions

Senior agricultural researcher:               Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops (2002 – 2020)

Agricultural researcher                           Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops (1994 – 2002)

Assistant agricultural researcher            Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops (1990 – 1994)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Management

1. Programme coordinator: Coffee research (1998 – 2002)
2. Board member of the Southern African Coffee Producers Organisation (SACPO) (1998 – 2004).
3. Project manager: Integrated control of Arabica coffee pests. (1990 – 2004)
4. Project manager: Integrated control of the banana weevil. ( 1994 – 2001)
5. Project manager: Mass breeding of Chilocorus nigritus. (1993 – 1994)
6. Project manager: Development of an effective IPM system for macadamias in South Africa. (2001 – 2020)
7. Project manager: Organic production of bananas in South Africa (2001 – 2003)
8. Project manager litchi pest management (2008 -2013)
9. Project manager avocado pest management (2009 – 2020)
10. Project manager macadamia pest management (2003 – 2020)

RESEARCH

1. Integrated control of the banana weevil. ( 1994 – 2001)
2. Integrated control of Arabica coffee pests. (1990 – 2004)
3. Mass breeding of Chilocorus nigritus. (1993 – 1994)
4. Development of an effective IPM system for macadamias in South Africa. (2001 – 2020).
5. Development of a bio-insecticide from the Syringa tree. (Melia azedarach) – Consortium of ARC institutes and managed by ARC-PPRI. (1993 – 1994)
6. Bio-Insecticides: a biorational approach to insect pest management. Consortium of ARC institutes, universities and industry. (2002 – 2005)
7. Ad hoc contract research is also carried out on a continuous basis for various agrochemical companies and /or related clients.
8. Assistance is also provided to small scale farmers (Kgarudi community) regarding redevelopment of former government owned coffee farms. (1999 – 2005)
9. Organic management of insect pests of banana – a commercial product (Broadband) containing the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has recently been registered in this regard. (1999 – 2006) This product is now marketed internationally by BASF.
10. Facilitating marketing and production of subtropical fruit (macadamias and coffee) of the Drakensberg farmers association near Injaka. (2002 – 2004)
11. Litchi pest management (2008 -2013)
12. Avocado pest management (2009 – 2020)
13. Macadamia pest management (2003 – 2020)