Research and Development
Research and Development
Purpose
Colors is a pioneering business, and in the agricultural field, the development of new fruit cultivars is a discipline where this pioneering spirit finds its fullest expression.
R&D is a dedicated function of the Colors Group, with a dedicated team of experts, focused on developing and enhancing the range of fruit we offer our customers, thereby supporting ongoing improvement of the product range as well as greater differentiation of the range.
Not just an ancillary function, but a strategic driver across the group, the critical work of our R&D division can be broken down into three key areas:
- Breeding new varieties
- Forming partnerships with international plant breeders and securing access to their new varieties
- Evaluating new varieties in order to select the most promising candidates for commercialization
Team
From Left to Right:
Anita Kruger (BSc Food Science at Stellenbosch University) is employed as a Technical Manager in the Research and Development Department. She is interested in new and unique fruit varieties.
Deon Coetzee (BSc Viticulture and Plant Pathology)(Afcasa) Is employed as Grape Breeder and Evaluator. Deon is interested in world wide gene banks, new fruit varieties and diversity within species.
Liezel Kriegler(BSc Food Science) is employed as Director of Research and Development. Liezel is driven to establishing Colors as a market leader of new and exciting fruit varieties.
Will Lemmer(B.Sc Agric) is employed as the stone fruit and fig evaluator and has a special interest in sustainable production practices and niche fruit varieties
Barbara Malan (B.Agric Viticulture) is employed as Technical Assistant and has a special interest in breeding and the research of new fruit varieties
Iwan Labuschagne (Ph.D. Agric. Genetics) is employed as Manager, R&D: Genetics and is responsible for the apple and pear breeding and evaluation programme of Colors Fruit. He has a special interest in within and between family variations for specific breeding traits.