Registration Fees

SASAE Members = R5 500.00
Non-SASAE Members = R6 000.00
One Day Attendance = R2 500.00
Registration Fee Covers: Conference Proceedings, Conference Material, Wellness Day Activities, Informal Braai, Tea Breaks with Snacks, Lunches and Gala Dinner.

Registration Details
The registration form can be accessed by clicking register now on the SASAE website or via the QR code in the poster
Registrations will strictly close on 07 June 2026– NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE.
Payment is due no later than 15 June 2026.

The post 59th Annual Conference of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension, co-hosted with the Walter Sisulu University appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

DEADLINE: 24 APRIL 2026

Submit stories to secretariat@sasae.co.za.

We Invite farmers, practitioners, researchers, and advocates of sustainable agriculture to submit their inspiring stories or brief communications related to the conference theme: “Towards an Inclusive, Digital, and Resilient Extension Paradigm for Sustainable Food and Agricultural Livelihoods: Positioning Agricultural Extension as a Driver of Innovation, Equity, and Sustainability for the entire agri-linked value chain including pre-production, production, and post-production in a wide spectrum of activities including crops, livestock, forestry, game farming, and non-conventional commodities with an unshakable commitment to ethics, human empowerment, and environmental stewardship.“
Please ensure that your submission complies with the provided guidelines.

Submission Guidelines
Please submit a Word document that includes the following:
1. Project Overview
Project Name, Location, Duration, and Objectives
2. Introduction / Background
Context: Background about the project, including challenges and opportunities.
Target Group: Describe the target group, including demographics and needs.
3. Problem Identified (Describe challenges faced during the project)
4. Methods Applied
Extension methodology: Show before and during application, and how it was done.
5.Intervention / Innovation
Description: Describe the technologies, practices, or approaches used
6. Results and Impact (Compare before and after)
Key Achievements: List main achievements, such as increased yields, improved incomes,
or enhanced sustainability
Statistics: Data demonstrating impact, including numbers, percentages, or ratios
Testimonials: Include testimonials from beneficiaries or stakeholders
7. Images (Include images to illustrate the project and its impact)
8. Conclusion
Summarise: Indicate the before, during, and after stages of the project and its outcomes.
9. References
All submissions will be reviewed by our editorial team.
We look forward to your contributions.

The post CALL FOR SUCCESS STORIES AND SHORT COMMUNICATIONS SUBMISSIONS appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We invite researchers, Extension Practitioners, students, and policymakers from government, academia, and private organizations to submit abstracts for the upcoming SASAE Conference 2026. This conference serves as a platform to explore innovative ideas, share research, and engage in discussions that shape the future of agricultural extension.

Deadline: 15 February 2026

Theme: Towards an Inclusive, Digital, and Resilient Extension Paradigm for Sustainable Food and Agricultural Livelihoods: Positioning Agricultural Extension as a Driver of Innovation, Equity, and Sustainability for the entire agri-linked value chain including pre production, production and post-production in a wide spectrum of activities including Crops, Livestock, Forestry, Game Farming, and non-conventional commodities with an unshakable commitment to ethics, human empowerment and environmental stewardship.

Subthemes

1. Inclusive and People-Centred Extension for Empowered Communities
2. Digital Transformation and Innovation in Extension
3. Building Resilient and Climate-Smart Food and Natural Resource Systems
4. Bridging indigenous and scientific knowledge to improve sustainable practices through capacity building and training for extension practitioners by strengthening the Research–Training–Extension Farmer Nexus.
5. Policy, Governance, and Institutional Support for Integrated Extension
6. Sustainable Livelihoods, Food Security, and Value Chains
7. Empowering farmers through enhanced market access and linkage support (through SHEP, CASP and NAMC programmes as well as other relevant programmes).

ABSTRACT TYPES

Abstracts that directly relate to the central conference theme are highly encouraged, and submissions exploring related sub-themes are also welcome. Additionally, we will consider broader agricultural extension topics of interest to the conference audience, even if they are not directly related to the main theme. Submissions can be based on various research approaches, including experimental studies with trials and experiments, as well as social research methods such as questionnaires, interviews and surveys. Please note that abstracts that are directly related to the conference theme will be given priority and first preference.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please submit extended abstracts in English (maximum 900 words). Your abstract should include the following information:

• Title.
• Author(s) and institutional affiliations. Corresponding author’s full name, email address, and cell phone number.
• Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic and its significance.
• Problem Statement: Clearly define the research problem or gap in knowledge.
• Objectives: State the primary and secondary objectives of the study.
• Methodology: Describe the research methods you will employ (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
• Preliminary/Expected Results (if applicable): Briefly outline the anticipated outcomes of your research.
• Discussion of Significance: Explain the contribution of your research to the field of agricultural extension.
• Conclusion and Recommendations: Summarise the key takeaways and potential applications of your research.
• Keywords. Format: 1.5 line spacing, Arial font, size 12, Justified alignment in MS Word.

All submissions must be emailed to the Secretariat at secretariat@sasae.co.za and should be in Microsoft Word document format. Please indicate whether the submission is for a paper or poster presentation.

ABSTRACT REVIEW

All submitted abstracts will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. To ensure a high-quality conference program, abstracts that do not meet the following requirements will not be accepted:

• Originality: The content of the abstract must be original. Plagiarism detection software will be used to identify any copied content.
• Completeness: The abstract should include all the required elements outlined under the SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.
• Clarity: The abstract should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.

More Information:  www.sasae.co.za or secretariat@sasae.co.za or 062 957 1771

The post 59TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION (SASAE) CO-HOSTING WITH TH WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY (WSU), EAST LONDON, EASTERN CAPE appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

Promote the objectives of the society, and
Serve as an incentive for specific activities such as Extension research and the publication of Extension reports.
Branch Chairpersons are requested to share the nomination form. Full submissions must be submitted according to the awards procedures (as outlined in the by-laws) and be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Awards Committee, Ms. Lethabo Mashamaite, at awards@sasae.co.za, not later than 31 May 2025.

Nominator and Nominee: Any active SASAE member.

CATEGORIES OF AWARDS AND THE RESPECTIVE CRITERIA

GOLD MEDAL

A Gold Medal may be awarded to a person (or group of persons) who has made outstanding contributions promoting the science and scientific practice of Agricultural Extension.  The award is based on:

• Exceptional quality of scientific contribution(s) towards extension; and

• Exceptional contribution(s) in the fields of leadership and policy formulation in the broader context. 

SILVER MEDAL

A Silver Medal may be awarded to a person (or group of persons) who has made a special contribution(s) to promoting Agricultural Extension.  Nominees will be assessed on the quality of published scientific papers and/or reports. 

BRONZE MEDAL

A Bronze Medal may be awarded to a person (or group of persons) who has made a meritorious contribution(s) to promoting Extension as a science, or the scientific application of Agricultural Extension at an operational level.

TIM BEMBRIDGE EXTENSION MANAGEMENT AWARD (BRONZE)

A person who has demonstrated outstanding extension management will be selected for this award.  The recipient of this award should have made substantial management contributions to extension on a continuous basis.  Nominations should describe and document the nominee’s accomplishments in the areas below:

• Personal Commitment: exerts extraordinary dedication and effort in support of extension programmes, activities and services. 
• Self-improvement: strives to increase competencies and capacities, participates in opportunities for growth and maintains active involvement in professional activities. 
• Achievement: is goal-oriented, sets an example for others, has demonstrated significant accomplishments in successful extension projects/programmes of officers under his / her control and has acquired noticeable peer recognition. 

SASAE FLOATING TROPHY FOR A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL 

A young extension officer (with ten years or less service) who has demonstrated a combination of service, leadership and participation in conferences relating to agricultural extension will qualify for this award.  The recipient of this award should have made substantial contributions to the profession in service, leadership and conference participation, but the contributions do not have to be equal.  Nominators should describe and document the nominee’s accomplishments in the following areas where applicable:

• Personal Commitment: demonstrates extraordinary dedication and effort in support of agricultural extension programmes, activities and services. 
• Meritorious Contributions: has made significant contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of agricultural extension.
• Achievement: is goal-oriented, sets examples for others, has demonstrated significant accomplishments in successful extension projects/programmes and has acquired noticeable peer recognition. 
• Conference Participation: evidenced by listing of journal articles, papers and presentations related to agricultural extension issues and topics.

TRANSVAAL BRANCH FLOATING TROPHY

The trophy may be awarded to a person(s), or a team, who in the opinion of the Council, have during the course of the previous year(s), informed fellow Extensionists of a successful extension action or actions by means of a popular scientific article or articles, or any other appropriate communication. 

CERTIFICATE FOR CO-ORDINATED EXTENSION

The certificate may be awarded to a group of extensionists who, as a team, have launched a successful extension programme.  The following criteria will apply:

• Team involvement of Extensionists representing one or more organisations.
• The degree to which the respective farming community was involved.
• The degree to which planning was done according to set objectives and coordinated work schedules.
• The method or methods employed addressing audience delineation, audience engagement, the use of communication channels and evaluation.
• The complexity of the message conveyed.
• The efficiency of the co-ordination exercise; and
• The behavioural change effected in the community.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Council may grant honorary membership to persons who, over a period of years:

• Have made an exceptional contribution(s) towards the development and application of the science of Agricultural Extension. 

          or

• Have rendered out-of-the-ordinary inputs/services to promote the interests of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension. 

LOUBIE LOUBSER FLOATING TROPHY

The trophy may be awarded annually to the most active Branch of the Society.  The following criteria will apply, namely:

• The excellence of organised actions of the Branch in the interest of its members and the promotion of member involvement.

• The degree of involvement of the Branch in the business of and actions initiated by the Council; and

• The quality of inputs made towards the promotion of the science of Extension.

MOTIVATION OF AWARDS

The following particulars concerning the nominee(s) should accompany all submissions for SASAE awards:

• Personal:                Full name(s)

                                            Age(s)

                                            School qualifications

                                            Post-school qualifications

• Service record:        Employer(s)

                                              Capacity(ies)

                                              Work done (Clear explanation of planning inputs and results achieved, with emphasis on the application of Extension principles.)

The post SASAE AWARDS 2024/ 2025 appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

Venue: EMPERORS PALACE, KEMPTON PARK, JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG

“Transforming Agricultural Extension for Sustainability, Climate-Smart and Resilient Rural Development”

“Leverage innovation and Technology to enhance Extension and Advisory services for Sustainable agriculture, improved livelihoods and food security”

Subthemes

• Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroecological Approaches
• Digital Agriculture and Extension Services
• Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation
• Agricultural Innovation and Market Access
• Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening
• Food Security and Nutrition
• Holistic Farming: Balancing Crop and Livestock Production for a Sustainable Future

• Digital Technologies for Improved Extension and Advisory Services (EAS).
• Innovative Extension Platforms to Influence the Promotion of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA).
• Strategic Extension Partnerships for Strengthening EAS for Inclusive Sustainable Agricultural Systems.
• The Role of Extension on Promoting Inclusive Niche Commodities and Indigenous Crops for Improved Livelihoods and Food Security.

IMPORTANT DATES

• 01 April – 16 May 2025- Early Bird Registration
• 17 – 31 May 2025- Late Registration
• 15 June 2025- Payments Deadline
• 29 June – 04 July 2025- Conference Date

Early Bird Registration (01 April – 16 May 2025)

SASAE Member                                      R5 000

Non SASAE Member                             R5 500

Day Visit (One Day only)                     R2 000

Late Registration (17 – 31 May 2025)

SASAE Member                                      R5 500

Non SASAE Member                              R6 000

Day Visit (One Day only)                      R2 000

Registration Fee Covers: Conference Proceedings, Conference Material, Wellness Day Activities, Informal Braai, Tea Breaks with Snacks, Lunches and Gala Dinner.

To register go to www.sasae.co.za/conferences or https://form.jotform.com/250924717962566 or scan the QR code

For more information

• secretariat@sasae.co.za
• www.sasae.co.za
• 062 957 1771

The post 58TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION & THE 1ST AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WEEK appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

Submission Deadline: 07 April 2025

We cordially invite farmers, practitioners, researchers, and advocates of sustainable agriculture to share their inspiring stories or brief communications related to the conference theme: “Transforming Agricultural Extension for Sustainability, Climate-Smart and Resilient Rural Development”.

When submitting your story, please ensure that you adhere to the provided guidelines.

Submission Requirements

Please submit a Word document that consists of the following:

1. Project Overview

• Project Name, Location, Project Duration and Objective

2. Introduction / Background

• Context: (Provide context about the project, including challenges and opportunities)
• Target Group: (Describe the target group, including demographics and needs)

3. Problem Identified (Describe challenges faced during the project)

4. Methods Applied

5. Intervention/Innovation

• Description: (Describe the intervention or innovation, including technologies, practices, or approaches used)

6. Results and Impact (Compare before and after)

• Key Achievements: (List key achievements, including increased yields, improved incomes, or enhanced sustainability)
• Statistics: (Provide statistics to illustrate the impact, including numbers, percentages, or ratios)
• Testimonials: (Include testimonials from beneficiaries or stakeholders)

7. Images (Include images to illustrate the project and its impact)

8. Conclusion (Summarize the project and its impact)

9. References

Review Process

All submissions will be reviewed by our editorial team.

We look forward to hearing about your experiences and successes!

Submit stories to intern@sasae.co.za

The post CALL FOR SUCCESS STORIES AND SHORT COMMUNICATIONS appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 20 MARCH 2025

The post SOUTH AFRICAN EXTENSION WEEK (AEW) 2025 appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

Conference Theme: “Transforming Agricultural Extension for Sustainability, Climate-Smart and Resilient Rural Development”

Subthemes

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroecological Approaches

• Mitigating climate change impacts on agriculture
• Sustainable agriculture practices for improved yields
• Conservation agriculture, soil health, water management, and irrigation efficiency.

2. Digital Agriculture and Extension Services

• Leveraging technology for precision agriculture
• Digital extension services for improved farmer engagement
• Data-driven decision-making for agricultural development and cybersecurity in agricultural data management.

3. Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation

• Empowering rural women and youth in agriculture
• Rural entrepreneurship and job creation
• Enhancing rural infrastructure for agricultural growth.

4. Agricultural Innovation and Market Access

• Promoting agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship
• Enhancing market access for smallholder farmers
• Value chain development and agricultural marketing.

5. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

• Building capacity for agricultural extension services
• Strengthening institutional partnerships for agricultural development
• Enhancing policy frameworks for agricultural growth.

6. Food Security and Nutrition

• Ensuring food availability and access
• Improving nutrition through diversified agriculture
• Enhancing food safety and quality control.

7. Holistic Farming: Balancing Crop and Livestock Production for a Sustainable Future

• Developing high-yielding and resilient crop varieties
• Utilizing advanced breeding techniques
• Identifying and developing integrated pest management strategies
• Optimizing animal diets for improved performance and developing novel feed additives and supplements
• Utilizing technology for precision livestock farming.

Call for Abstracts

We invite researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from government, academia, and private organizations to submit abstracts for presentations on the following topics:

• Conference Theme: Abstracts directly related to the central conference theme are highly encouraged.
• Related Sub-themes: We also welcome submissions that explore themes related to the sub-themes of the conference.
• Broader Agricultural Extension Topics: We will consider presentations that address broader agricultural extension topics of interest to the conference audience, even if they are not directly tied to the conference theme.

Abstract Types

We welcome abstracts based on a variety of research approaches, including experimental studies with trials and experiments, as well as social research methods such as questionnaires and interviews. However, presentations directly related to the central conference theme will be given priority during the selection process.

Abstract Review

All submitted abstracts will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. To ensure a high-quality conference programme, abstracts that do not meet the following requirements will not be accepted:

• Originality: The content of the abstract must be original. Plagiarism detection software will be used to identify any copied content.
• Completeness: The abstract should include all the required elements outlined below.
• Clarity: The abstract should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Please submit extended abstracts in English (maximum 900 words) to secretariat@sasae.co.za by February 17th, 2025. Your abstract should include the following information:

• Title
• Author(s) and Institutional Affiliations
• Keywords
• Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic and its significance.
• Problem Statement: Clearly define the research problem or gap in knowledge.
• Objectives: State the primary and secondary objectives of the study.
• Methodology: Describe the research methods you will employ (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
• Preliminary/Expected Results (if applicable): Briefly outline the anticipated outcomes of your research.
• Discussion of Significance: Explain the contribution of your research to the field of agricultural extension.
• Conclusion and Recommendations: Summarize the key takeaways and potential applications of your research.

Corresponding Author Information

• Title
• Name
• Email Address
• Telephone Number

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

The post CALL FOR PAPERS- EXTENSION: 58TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION CO-HOSTED WITH THE TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

May this festive season bring you joy, peace, and quality time with loved ones. We express our heartfelt gratitude for your dedication and support in promoting professional extension services in South Africa.

As we look forward to the new year, we are excited to continue our work together in 2025 and beyond. SASAE wishes you a Happy New Year, filled with renewed energy, fresh opportunities, and continued success in your endeavours.

Thank you for your commitment to advancing professional extension services, climate-resilient agriculture, and sustainable development in South Africa. Here’s to a productive and fulfilling year ahead!

Please note that our office will be closed from 20 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. We will resume our duties on 6 January 2025.

Wishing you a wonderful festive season and a prosperous new year. Please stay safe and enjoy responsibly.

Regards,

SASAE Executive

The post Presidents Christmas Message appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.

Co-hosted with the Tshwane University of Technology

The due date for the submission of articles is on or before the 31st of January 2025

Conference Theme: “Transforming Agricultural Extension for Sustainability, Climate-Smart and Resilient Rural Development”

Subthemes

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroecological Approaches

• Mitigating climate change impacts agriculture
• Sustainable agriculture practices for improved yields
• Conservation agriculture, soil health, water management, and irrigation efficiency.

2. Digital Agriculture and Extension Services

• Leveraging technology for precision agriculture
• Digital extension services for improved farmer engagement
• Data-driven decision-making for agricultural development and cybersecurity in agricultural data management.

3. Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation

• Empowering rural women and youth in agriculture
• Rural entrepreneurship and job creation
• Enhancing rural infrastructure for agricultural growth.

4. Agricultural Innovation and Market Access

• Promoting agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship
• Enhancing market access for smallholder farmers
• Value chain development and agricultural marketing.

5. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

• Building capacity for agricultural extension services
• Strengthening institutional partnerships for agricultural development
• Enhancing policy frameworks for agricultural growth.

6. Food Security and Nutrition

• Ensuring food availability and access
• Improving nutrition through diversified agriculture
• Enhancing food safety and quality control.

7. Holistic Farming: Balancing Crop and Livestock Production for a Sustainable Future

• Developing high-yielding and resilient crop varieties
• Utilizing advanced breeding techniques
• Identifying and developing integrated pest management strategies
• Optimizing animal diets for improved performance and developing novel feed additives and supplements
• Utilizing technology for precision livestock farming.

Abstracts Submission Guidelines

All interested authors from government, private organizations, and academic institutions are hereby invited to send an abstract for paper or poster presentations on:

(a) Topics related to the conference’s main theme or any of the above-related sub-themes.

(b) Any other extension-related proposals or submissions that are not directly related to the conference theme, but are of potential interest and value to conference participants.

Research and philosophically based papers, as well as papers based on practical experience, will be considered. However, papers related to the central conference theme will be preferred. All proposals will be peer-reviewed; for this purpose, the following is required: (If your paper does not comply with this, it will not be accepted)

The SASAE Board welcomes original manuscript abstract submissions written in English. Abstracts should be between 150 and 250 words in length including keywords with clear reference to introduction, purpose, methodology, results and discussion, conclusion, and extension implications. The format of the abstracts should be 1.5 spacing, font Arial 12, justify, and in MS Word. All abstracts should include a title with each author’s name and institutional affiliation. All submissions should be made online to secretariat@sasae.co.za. Abstracts must be original in content. All articles will be checked for originality using plagiarism detection software. Details of the main/corresponding author: title, name, email address, and telephone number should be included for the purpose of feedback.

The post CALL FOR PAPERS AND POSTERS FOR THE 58TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION appeared first on South African Society for Agricultural Extension | SASAE.