Prof Johann Kirsten, Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development was recently appointed as the Editor of Agrekon, published by Taylor and Francis and indexed by Scopus and Web of Science. He succeeds Prof André Jooste who was Agrekon editor since 2010.

Agrekon is a quarterly publication of the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA). Prof Johann Kirsten has been a member of AEASA since 1985 and has previously served the Association in various capacities: Secretary from 1992 to 1994, Editorial assistant for Agrekon from 1998 to 1999, President from 2001 to 2002; and Past President: 2003 and 2004.

He is Professor and Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development at the University of Pretoria since 1997. Furthermore, he has published more than 110 articles in peer reviewed journals as author and co-author and also co-edited six books. A total of 68 masters’ students and 22 PhD students completed their studies under his supervision. He served as a Council member of the National Agricultural Marketing Council in South Africa from 2001 to 2011 and was also appointed by the Minister of Agriculture as Chair of the Food Price Committee for the period 2003/4.

Prof Kirsten also served as the Vice-President of the International Association of Agricultural Economists from 2006 to 2009. His main research interests are agricultural policy, land reform and the economics of origin based foods.

Agrekon aims to promote research and discussions on agricultural economic issues related to southern Africa. It includes disciplinary, multi-disciplinary and problem orientated work. Prof Kirsten says he is looking forward to tackle the challenge to improve the status and impact of the journal and to make sure the content addresses the key challenges in the economics of food, agriculture, agribusiness and natural resources in the southern African region.