School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Department of Plant Production, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering
The land is only as good as our ability to work it – acquire the relevant skills at UL
Welcome to the Plant Production, Soil Science, and Agricultural Engineering Department. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Soil Science, Plant Production (Agronomy, Horticulture, and Pasture Science), and Plant Protection (Postgraduate).
Soil Science and Plant Production can be taken as a major subject at the undergraduate level in the four-year B Sc. Agric. degree programme. Theoretical and practical modules are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to serve the agricultural sector and rural communities. Students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies may enrol for honours, master’s or doctoral degrees in the respective areas.
The School’s Experimental Farm provides excellent facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate training in both research and commercial production systems. As part of community outreach, these facilities are also used to provide training for smallholder farmers. The Department’s availability of various production units ensures continuous research and training activities throughout the year.
In addition to these resources, the Department has access to jointly established laboratories where students and researchers conduct analyses.
The Department has active collaborative research and training initiatives with the Agriculture Research Council, government departments, universities, institutes, and various international partners, providing postgraduate students with access to a diverse range of expertise and facilities.
The Department conducts research for both staff development and postgraduate education. Improved and sustainable production in small-scale and commercial enterprises, as well as the profitability of various production systems, are among the research activities.
Students, extension agents, and farmers are all involved in the research projects. Current research projects are focused on improving and sustaining crop production practises, conserving natural resources under changing climatic conditions, and nutrient management/recycling in various agro-ecosystems.
The department strives to fulfil the University of Limpopo and Faculty of Science and Agriculture mission through training and mentoring of crop and soil science specialists who are highly professional, efficient, and independent and can embrace change, diversity and integrity.
Registration forms
Possible Career Opportunities
Students who study any of the disciplines in the department can choose from a wide range of career options that include Government Departments, Private Firms and Non- Governmental Organizations
- Government Departments: Several governments Departments dealing with issues of agricultural and rural development have career opportunities for agronomists, horticulturists, pasture scientists or soil scientists. These include Departments of Agriculture, Land Affairs, etc. Job titles includes Agronomist, Soil Scientist, Horticulturist, Plant breeders, Crop protectionist, Land Reform Advisors, Project Manager, Value Chain Manager, Extension Officer, Environmental Officer, Seed quality Control Officer etc
- Private Firms: specialising in the Agribusiness Industry also offer opportunities especially for students who specialise in Agribusiness. Farm management positions also typically require Agronomist and the likes
- Non-Governmental Organisations – Job titles include Researchers and Project Assistants or Managers.
- Research Institutions – Those who are interested in research and academia can follow a career in Research in various areas of specialization related to agriculture
- Institutions of higher learning: Universities, Colleges
Research Focus Areas
Agronomy, Agroforestry, Climate Change, Food Security and Climate Smart Agriculture
Academic Staff
Plant Production Academic Staff
| Title | Surname & Initials | Position |
Office Ext. |
Office | Email Address | Cell Number |
| PLANT PRODUCTION | ||||||
| Ass Prof. | Bopape-Mabapa MP | Ass Professor/HoD | 2319 | C-Block 0014 | paulina.mabapa@ul.ac.za | |
| Prof. | Ayisi KK | Professor | 4006 | VLIR HOUSE | kwabena.ayisi@ul.ac.za | |
| Ass Prof. | Kena M.A | Ass Professor | 2927 | C-Block 0018 | mapotso.kena@ul.ac.za | |
| Ass Prof. | Mathaba N | Ass Professor | 2198 | CRCE 0003D | nhlanhla.mathaba@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Molatudi RL | Snr Lecturer | 2327 | M-Block 2005 | lucy.molatudi@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Hadebe ST | Snr Lecturer | 3227 | F-Block 0013 | sandile.hadebe@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Motshekga LM | Snr Lecturer | 3984 | F-Block 0007 | lesego.motshekga@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Mothapo MJ | Snr Lecturer | 4171 | C-Block 0020A | joyce.mothapo@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Mnqeta Z | Snr Lecturer | 2152 | E-Block 0013 | zezethu.mnqeta@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Gusha B | Snr Lecturer | 2751 | E-Block 0017 | bukho.gusha@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Satekge TK | Snr Lecturer | 2185 | F-block 0003 | thabiso.satekge@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Vacu MV | Lecturer | 2299 | CRCE 0003E | vincent.vacu@ul.ac.za | |
| Dr. | Masevhe MR | Lecturer | 2173 | E-Block-0005 | mashudu.masevhe@ul.ac.za | |
| Mr. | Gxasheka M | Lecturer | 3757 | F-Block -1003 | masibonge.gxasheka@ul.ac.za | |
| Mr. | Letsoalo IM | Lecturer | 2127 | CRCE 0003E | isaac.letsoalo@ul.ac.za | |
| Mr. | Mamphiswana ND | Lecturer | 2706 | C-Block 0012B | ndivhuwo.mamphiswana@ul.ac.za | |
| Ms. | Mkhabela | Lecturer | 2752 | E-Block 0017 | sonto.mkhabela@ul.ac.za | |
| Mr. | Mathebula ME | Snr Technician | 3774 | C-Block 0021 | edward.mathebula@ul.ac.za | |
| Ms. | Mashapa MV | Technician | 4656 | F-Block PP Lab 0003 | valentine.mashapa@ul.ac.za | |
| Ms. | Yekelo N | Technician | 4760 | C-Block Lab 0027 | ncumisa.yekelo@ul.ac.za | |
Support Staff
Support staff
|
Name |
Qualifications |
Contact/s |
|
Mr. Mathebula M.E |
B Agric (UL), B Agric Hons (UL) |
Office Tel: 015 268 3774 Email: edward.mathebula@ul.ac.za |
|
Mr. Mutshekwa N |
BSc Agric (UNIVEN). MSc (UL) |
Office Tel: 015 268 4748 Email: Ndivhuho.mutshekwa@ul.ac.za |
|
Mr. Maake E.M |
N.Diploma Plant Production (Dompi Seleka) |
Office Tel: 015 268 4939 Email: Edward.maake@ul.ac.za |
|
Mr. Malatji K.P |
BSc Agric (UL), MSc (UL) |
Office Tel: 015 268 3186 Email: kgashane.malatji@ul.ac.za |
|
Mr. Ngwenya J.D |
Matric Certificate |
Office Tel: 015 268 3202 Email: daniel.ngwenya@ul.ac.za |
|
Ms. Dolo A.S |
BSc Agric (UL), MSc (UL) |
Office Tel: 015 268 3049 Email: shila.dolo@ul.ac.za |
|
Ms. Mashapa M.V |
BSc Agric (UL) |
Office Tel: 015 268 4656 Email: valentine.mashapa@ul.ac.za |
|
Mrs. Malatji L.F |
N. Dipl (Unisa), B.Tech (Unisa) |
Office Tel: 015 268 4940 Email: lleka.malatji@ul.ac.za |
|
Ms. Yekelo N |
BSc Agric (UFS), MSc (UKZN) |
Office Tel: 015 268 4760 Email: ncumisa.yekelo@ul.ac.za |
|
Ms. Matlala C |
BSc Agric (UL), MSc (UL) |
Office Tel: 015 268 3474 Email: conny.matlala@ul.ac.za |
|
Ms. Maboya N.Y |
N.Dipl (Moteo FET) |
Office Tel: 015 268 2599 Email: yvonne.maboya@ul.ac.za |
Prof. M.P Bopape-Mabapa
Head of Department, Department of Plant Production, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering
DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Head of Department
Dr. M.P Bopape-Mabapa
Tel: 015 268 2319
Email: paulina.mabapa@ul.ac.za
Secretary
Ms. N.Y Maboya
Tel: 015268 2599
Email: yvonne.maboya@ul.ac.za