SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium returns to Stellenbosch in November
The SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium will return to Stellenbosch on 19 and 20 November 2026, bringing growers, consultants and researchers together to focus on practical plant nutrition decisions.
Hosted by the Agri Vision Foundation at the Protea Hotel in Technopark, the two-day event is expected to attract around 350 delegates from across Southern Africa. The programme is built around the theme “From world-class research to your soil and crop”, with a strong emphasis on translating research into farm-level practice.
Regional focus on practical nutrition
According to Food for Mzansi, the symposium will draw growers, farm managers, consultants, fertiliser specialists, researchers, industry representatives, academics and emerging farmers. Dr Michael Southwood, founder of the Agri Vision Foundation and organiser of the event, said the aim is to present current research and technology in a way that can be implemented on farms. That regional approach is important because SADC production systems vary widely, from dryland farming to intensive irrigated horticulture, each with different soils, climates and nutrient challenges.
Programme covers conventional and newer technologies
Sessions will address soil sampling and analysis, fertiliser formulations, precision agriculture, fertigation, soil compaction, nutrient corrections and salt management. The programme will also cover coated, slow-release and controlled-release fertilisers, nitrogen-release technologies, micro-irrigation and drip systems, as well as the role of secondary nutrients and trace elements. Biological and regenerative approaches will also feature, including organic and enriched fertilisers, kelp-based products, crop rotation, cover crops, green manures, compost and mulches.
Why this matters for South African producers
Plant nutrition is becoming increasingly important as growers face pressure to improve input efficiency while managing rising fertiliser, water and energy costs. For producers, the value of events such as this lies in helping narrow the gap between research and practical decisions around what to apply, when to apply it and how nutrients should be delivered.
More precise nutrition can influence yield, quality, input efficiency and long-term soil performance, making it a direct profitability issue rather than simply a technical one. The symposium also provides an opportunity for South African growers to compare approaches with producers and advisers from elsewhere in the SADC region.
Early-bird tickets were priced at R2,950 until 1 October, with standard in-person tickets at R3,950 thereafter. An online option is available at R2,750, with all sessions set to be live-streamed.