Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate and identify the existing knowledge gaps on plant health systems of the national and provincial officials responsible for biosecurity issues and plant health matters at the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in South Africa. In this study, stratified random sampling was used and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 60 participants (30 each from national and provincial) from DAFF (scientists and inspectors), Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) (biodiversity officers) and Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) (extension officers or agricultural advisors). The data was analysed statistically using the one-way frequency and Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficients. The study revealed that 76.7% of the respondents at the national level have knowledge and understanding on plant health systems and only 36.7% of the PDAs respondents have such a level of knowledge. In terms of the relevant training on plant health matters, the majority of the respondents at the PDAs (80%) revealed that they were not receiving basic training on quarantine pests (pest identification and control), while only 20% of the respondents at the national authority indicated a lack of regular trainings. Thus, intensifying awareness and basic training on plant health matters, specifically for the extension officers and/or agricultural advisors, was found to be an effective tool to enhance knowledge capacity. Keywords: Extension officers, legislation, knowledge, pest, plant health system
Highlights
This paper seeks to identify the level of knowledge in plant health matters or system of South Africa within the selected spheres of government which are national and provincial
This finding was supported by the study conducted by Ngaka and Zwane (2017:31) in all nine provinces of South Africa
The results showed that 33.3% of the participants at the national level were scientists and 97.6% of the respondents at the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs) were extension officers and/or agricultural advisors
Summary
This paper seeks to identify the level of knowledge in plant health matters or system of South Africa within the selected spheres of government which are national and provincial. Due to increased movement of plants and plant commodities that may pose plant pest risks on agriculture and biodiversity, an extensive knowledge on plant health systems is required for the protection of plants and plant products from harmful plant pests and diseases. This research paper made comparison on knowledge capacity of the officials at the national and provincial authorities regarding plant health and/or plant protection issues. The majority of the officials who were interviewed as the national authorities work within the plant health and/or biosecurity environment and are professional scientists. This research paper makes reference to provincial level/authority or Provincial Departments of Agriculture (PDAs). Most of the PDAs’ officials are agricultural advisors and/or extension officers
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