CRI’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Vaughan Hattingh, Phytosanitary and Biosecurity Specialist, Dr. Elma Carstens, and Phytosanitary and Office Administrator, Lizeth Swart, are based at the AGROHUB of Stellenbosch University’s Welgevallen Experimental Farm.

CRI researchers seconded to the Department of Horticultural Science are hosted in the Lombardi building on the Stellenbosch University campus, and include Portfolio Manager for Citriculture, Prof. Paul Cronje, and Programme Coordinators for Pre-harvest Production and Quality and Cold Chain Research, Drs Pieter Raath and Tarl Berry, respectively. Research technicians, Ms Marli Kleyn and Mr Heinrich Geldenhuys, and cultivar evaluator, Mr. Werner Swiegers, are also based in this department. Seconded to the Department of Plant Pathology (also in the Lombardi building) are Dr Jan van Niekerk, Portfolio Manager for Disease Management Research,and research technician, Mr Charles Stevens.
In the Department of Genetics are Programme Coordinator for the HLB Research Programme, Prof Hano Maree, and the Biotechnology Researcher, Dr. Rachelle Bester, with research technician, Ms Casey Gill.

In the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology (JS Marias building) are Dr. Davina Saccaggi, Programme Coordinator for Other Pests in IPM, and research technician, Mr Emiel van Son.
The Extension Manager Western and Northern Cape, Mr Coenraad Fraenkel, is based in Somerset West.

Situated in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), this research unit comprises the Research Manager, Prof. Sean Moore and Biosecurity Operations Coordinator, Mr. Wayne Kirkman, Research Entomologist, Dr. Tammy Marsberg, IPM Research Technicians, Ms. Mellissa Peyper and Mr. Luke Cousins, IPM Technical assistant, Ms. Sinazo Nkomo. This personnel specialise not only in requirements for the Eastern Cape, but also in issues of national relevance. Also working out of Gqeberha are Area Extension Manager for the Eastern Cape, Mr. Andre Combrink and Postharvest Extension Officer for the south, Ms. Natasha Jackson. The National Extension Manager, Mr. Hannes Bester is based nearby in Jeffrey’s Bay. Citriculture Technician, Ms. Johané Niemann and Assistant Cultivar Evaluator, Mr. Siphuxolo Melamane, and Technical Assistant, Mr. Luvo Mfumbezi, are based in Kirkwood in Sundays River Valley.

 

PHYSICAL
Citrus Research International
63 Heugh Road
Walmer, Gqeberha, 6070
Eastern Cape
South Africa

The CRI Citrus Foundation Block (CFB) is located outside Kariega (Uitenhage) in the Eastern Cape province, and is the veritable ‘birthplace of citrus in South Africa.  About 80% of South Africa’s demand for certified disease-free rootstock cultivar seed and scion budwood is supplied directly from the CFB.  The CFB currently maintains and multiplies budwood for >500 cultivar lines in 2.5 ha insect-secure greenhouse structures.  A total of 23 rootstock cultivars are grown and seed is extracted from fruit produced in 8 ha of orchards.  To ensure the biosecurity of the CFB, a regulation prescribing a 5-km citrus-free buffer zone was promulgated under the Agricultural Pest Act in January 2011.

The Citrus Improvement Scheme (CIS) offices are also located on the CFB farm.  The CIS operations, which include nursery certification and advisory services, CIS and financial administration and rootstock seed and scion budwood production and supply, involves a staff compliment of 36 permanently employed people.

OUR STAFF

The CIS is managed by Dr. Paul Fourie, who is ably assisted by CIS Production Manager, Mrs. Jacolene Meyer,  CIS Administrator, Mrs. Michelle le Roux, CIS Nursery Advisor, Mr. Michael Nell and a very dedicated team of colleagues in CIS administration and CFB operations.