The Agricultural Engineering Directorate undertakes the planning and design of advanced engineering structures, such as gabions, groynes, waterways and culverts for soil conservation structures, including structures to prevent erosion of riverbanks.
The guide has been compiled to assist farmers, extension personnel, researchers and others who are involved in costing farm operations and in machinery decision-making.
The Soil, Water and Plant Tissue laboratory at Elsenburg provides inorganic analysis of Soil, Plant, Fertiliser, Lime, Gypsum, Compost and Water with the aim to determine fertiliser needs and status, identification of deficiency symptoms, problem diagnosis and to improve the management of nutrients.
The irrigation section of the Agricultural Engineering Directorate provides advice and guidance to assist irrigators to use water more efficiently. These include checking of irrigation system design and infield testing of irrigation systems to ascertain performance compliance.
Mechanisation planning services are provided to farmers to ensure the optimal use of agricultural implements.
The aim of our extension service is to promote sustainable agricultural systems within the Western Cape in order to ensure prosperous farming communities and rural livelihoods.