SAAGA’s key focus is Market Access- Gaining access to new markets, Retaining Access to existing markets and Optimising markets (ensuring that the SA avocado industry remains competitive). SAAGA exists to do things that individual avocado growers are not able to do on their own. Subtrop is the organisation that provides services to SAAGA members according to the objectives determined by the SAAGA board.

Subtrop also provides services to the SA Mango and Litchi Growers’ Associations. In the past, Subtrop had extension officers that spent most of their time doing farm visits and providing recommendations to growers. Today, many avocado growers make use of specialist consultants and do not have a need for traditional extension officers. Therefore the SAAGA horticulturists employed by Subtrop now a play a different role. Their primary function is work with the SAAGA area committees in the various regions to determine the factors that limit- or are a threat to production, and then to draw up programmes to address those factors.

These programmes include study group topics, training for growers and workers, compilation of farmer-friendly information etc.

The SAAGA horticulturists also have other key responsibilities such as:

• Compilation of MRL lists
• Avocado nursery audits
• Administration and support to the Avocado Nurserymen’s Association
• Representation of Subtrop on DALRRD – Industry forums such as the Food Safety Working Group.
• Making written inputs regarding research needs and priorities
• Serving on SAAGA’s research committee and other pest and disease focus groups
• Writing articles for the Subtrop Journal
• Editing the Subtrop Journal
• Writing area reports for the SAAGA board
• Keeping the technical section of the SAAGA website up to date
• Answering telephonic and email queries from members and other role players such as chemical companies
• Support researchers with site selection for SAAGA research projects and chemical registration trials