Tickets for the SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium are now available, and it will bring together producers, consultants, researchers, and industry representatives in Stellenbosch in November. Early bird tickets are R2,950 until October 1st, with an option for online participation also provided.
For South African farmers, the importance of plant nutrition is rarely in doubt; rather, they consider how to make more informed decisions about what to put in the soil, when to do it, and how these decisions affect crop health, resource use efficiency, and overall farm productivity.
This is the idea embodied by the SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium, which will take place on Thursday, November 19th, and Friday, November 20th, 2026, at the Protea Hotel, Technopark, Stellenbosch. The event is under the slogan 'From world-class research to your soil and harvest' and aims to present the latest advancements in plant nutrition and technology to those who apply them directly in the field.
For Dr. Michael Soutwood, founder of the Agri Vision Foundation and organizer of the symposium, this practical link is the central theme of the event. He emphasizes that the main goal is to present the audience with the newest technologies and research so that farmers, consultants, and farm managers can successfully implement them on their plots.
The symposium is expected to attract around 350 participants, including producers, farm managers, consultants, researchers, fertilizer experts, industry representatives, higher education specialists, and emerging farmers. Although the event is held in South Africa, organizers position it as a discussion platform for the entire SADC agricultural community.
The event in Stellenbosch is not the first attempt by the Agri Vision Foundation to gather agricultural professionals to discuss technical knowledge. Dr. Soutwood notes that over the past six years, they have successfully held eight such symposia, gathering about a thousand attendees.
The new event builds on this experience, offering a program covering a wide range of topics: from soil analysis and fertilizer recipes to precision agriculture, fertigation, biological additives, and regenerative agriculture. This broad coverage is important for the SADC region, which features great agricultural diversity. Production systems range from dryland farming to high-intensity irrigated agriculture, and producers operate on different soil types, in various climatic conditions, growing different crops and facing different production constraints.
The symposium is intended to create a space where these differences become part of the discussion, rather than being treated as a universal solution for everyone. The program addresses many issues affecting plant nutrition decisions, with a strong emphasis on practical application. Sessions will cover fertilizer categories, new formulations and application methods, as well as the importance of proper soil sampling and analysis. Participants will also study soil compaction issues, pre-season soil amelioration, nutrient correction, and salt management.
Special attention will be paid to technologies that change the approach to nutrient management. These include coated, slow-release, and controlled-release fertilizers, precision agriculture technologies for optimizing fertilizer placement, micro-irrigation and drip irrigation systems, and nitrogen release technology.
The program goes beyond the traditional focus on macronutrients. Micronutrients, as well as secondary nutrients such as magnesium, sulfur, and calcium, their role in crop production, and disease suppression will be discussed. For farmers studying biological and more holistic approaches to soil management, the symposium will also cover organic, semi-organic, and enriched fertilizers, including algae-based products, as well as crop rotation, cover crops, green manures, compost, and mulching.
Another key theme is achieving balance. Understanding soil characteristics and its nutrient needs is critical not only for correcting deficiencies but also for preventing excessive fertilization and nutrient toxicity.
Dr. Soutwood believes that the event has a purpose that extends beyond filling two days with technical presentations. The goal is to bridge the gap between what is discovered in research and what actually happens in the field. This involves discussing practical questions about how to match fertilizer to specific soil and crop, how to place nutrients more effectively, what measurements precision agriculture technology can provide, and how fertigation, foliar feeding, and biological products fit into modern production systems.
For Soutwood, there is also a broader reason for holding this event. A ticket purchased by a farmer, consultant, or industry specialist does more than just grant access to two days of technical content; it also contributes to the foundation's long-term work in communities where food security, livelihoods, and family well-being remain pressing issues.
The relevance of the SADC focus is particularly high at a time when farmers across the region are grappling with rising input costs, water restrictions, changing weather patterns, and the pressure for more efficient production. Bringing together producers, advisors, researchers, and industry representatives in one place creates an opportunity to exchange not only research findings but also practical experience from diverse production environments. For those who cannot travel to Stellenbosch, organizers offer an online option, with every session broadcast live.
Tickets for in-person attendance include coffee, lunch, and snacks, while the online ticket provides remote access to the entire program. Early bird tickets for in-person attendance are R2,950 until Thursday, October 1st, after which the standard price will be R3,950. Online participation is available for R2,750, with live streaming of all sessions.