YOUR INDUSTRY
Keith Pyle is one of this country’s foremost citrus experts
Citrus benefits from Keith’s encyclopaedic knowledge Keith Pyle is supposed to be retired, but the man who is one of the country’s foremost citrus experts, is still in demand for his encyclopaedic scientific knowledge and technical skills, built on decades of growing citrus trees in Southern Africa and New Zealand. By Elaine Fisher Keith has a degree in agriculture with entomology, plant pathology and plant protection as the focus and is a longstanding member of the Citrus New Zealand (CNZ) research committee. In the 23 years since he emigrated to New Zealand, Keith has made a significant contribution to the New Zealand citrus industry – both through his work with CNZ and as a consultant to individual growers, says Sally Anderson, CNZ research manager. “Keith has been involved in helping the industry improve its growing practices and our growers have benefited from his extensive and in-depth knowledge. He is very generous 38
The ORCHARDIST : AUGUST 2021
with his time and knowledge, and his ongoing input into the CNZ research programme is invaluable.” Sally says Keith has a knack of diving deep into the research and drawing out the parts most relevant to growers. He has also increased her own understanding of the industry. “When I first joined Market Access Solutionz and took over the Citrus New Zealand Research Programme 10 years ago, I had little knowledge of the citrus industry. I am very grateful to have had Keith as an advisor.” Keith grew up near Johannesburg in South Africa and was educated at Natal University. His first job was in Rhodesia
