Professor Phineas Khazamula Chauke

Professor Phineas Khazamula Chauke has the following qualifications: PhD Agriculture Economics (University of Venda), Masters in Agricultural Economics (University of Pretoria), Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics (University of Fort Hare), Higher Education Diploma (University of Fort Hare) in South Africa.

Professor Phineas Khazamula Chauke, affectionately   known as P.K, is the Head of Department:  Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness – University of Venda (Univen).  His professional career spans a number of years, from being a development officer for the former Gazankulu homeland Department of Agriculture, lecturer at Hoxani College of Education in Mpumalanga, senior teacher at Kheto Nxumalo Agricultural High School, principal of Masiza High School in the Vhembe district, senior Lecturer and professor at the University of Venda School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. He served as Chief examiner for the subject: Agricultural Science at the national and provincial level from 1990 to 2012. In 2013, Prof PK led a team that organised the National Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) conference and participated in writing the book titled “AEASA in Practicia”, that articulates on the work of practicing agricultural economists in the public and private sectors.

Prof PK is a seasoned researcher who has conducted studies provincially, nationally and internationally. At the provincial level he conducted a number of studies on the emerging farming sector, especially smallholder cooperatives; at the national level Prof Chauke conducted various studies, especially with a focus on land claims as a consultant for the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) : Commissions on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR).  He recently completed massive land claim studies for Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The quality of outputs emanating from these studies have attracted substantial accolades from both the DRDLR and CRLR.  At the International Level Prof PK conducted a comprehensive assessment of the impact of climate change on the South African smallholder farming sector, commissioned by FARNPAN. Presently Prof PK is a member of the Vhembe and Sekhukhune Land Development tribunals, MEC Advisory Council, Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Land Bank Chair for Univen. In addition, he has supervised in excess of 20 and promoted not less than 5 PhD students.  He thus brings along an in-depth knowledge and skills in the agricultural economics and research fraternities.