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Laboratories and Agriculture

Introduction

Laboratories play a vital role in the monitoring and effectiveness of the agricultural value chain.

  • Resources like soil and water are evaluated. Precision agriculture and its accurate application of fertiliser, for example, depend on the soil tests.
  • Inputs like animal feed and fertiliser are analysed. Using tainted inputs like fertiliser can have a detrimental effect on a whole sector.
  • Tests and monitoring which happen in laboratories play a vital role in the country’s livestock industry and biosecurity.
  • Agricultural products, both in their primary and secondary form, are monitored to ensure quality and food safety.

A look at the company websites will give an indication of the services available.

National strategy and government contact

  • Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) National Analytical Services Tel: 021 809 1643. More information available under the Food Safety and Quality Assurance pages at www.old.dalrrd.gov.za. An Info Pak “National Analytical Services” also sets out services and functions.
  • National Health Laboratory Services www.nhls.ac.za
  • National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) www.nmisa.org
  • South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) www.sanas.co.za
 
 
 

Role players

 Companies

Note: Click to expand the headings below. To get a free listing on our website like the ones below, visit here for more information or place your order here. Disclaimer: The role player listings are not vetted by this website.

 
Bruker South Africa – www.bruker.com/en Category: suppliers of equipment
Agri-Enviro Solutions (AES) – www.aesol.co.za Category: suppliers of equipment
MLS Labs – https://mlslabs.co.za Category: services
African Mineral Standards (AMIS) – https://amis.co.za Category: services

Note: Click to expand the headings below. To get a free listing on our website like the ones below, visit here for more information or place your order here. Disclaimer: The role player listings are not vetted by this website.

 
Bruker South Africa – www.bruker.com/en Category: suppliers of equipment
Agri-Enviro Solutions (AES) – www.aesol.co.za Category: suppliers of equipment
MLS Labs – https://mlslabs.co.za Category: services
African Mineral Standards (AMIS) – https://amis.co.za Category: services

Agri-Laboratory Association of Southern Africa (AgriLASA) – www.agrilasa.co.za

South African Grain Laboratory (SAGL) – https://sagl.co.za Category: services. SAGL is a quality analyses laboratory and has ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. It offers a variety of quality analyses on grains and oilseeds. The SAGL provide courses in laboratory training for both wheat (flour) and maize (meal) analyses.
South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) – https://sasri.org.za Category: services
South African Association of Veterinary Technologists – www.saavt.co.za
South African Association of Veterinary Technologists – www.saavt.co.za
Testing of Products Initiated by Consumers (TOPIC) – www.topicsa.org.za Category: services. Topic tests the authenticity of product labels.
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) – www.sabs.co.za Category: services
South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) – https://sasri.org.za Category: services

Further reference:

Agricultural services

  • Many agricultural companies have their own laboratories e.g. De Heus (Pty) Ltd, Deltamune and Chemtech (Omnia).
  • Parastatals like the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) provide laboratory services. Find details on the “Research and development” page.
  • The Provincial Departments of Agriculture provide laboratory services e.g. find the Western Cape Department of Agriculture Analytical Services information under “Our Services” at www.elsenburg.com. In KwaZulu-Natal, find “Laboratory services” under “Resource Centre” at www.kzndard.gov.za. Contact details of the provinces are given on the “Agriculture in the Provinces” page.
  • Universities have laboratories for training and research, and also offer services to companies.
  • Some of the role players listed above also offer training.

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