ARC-Vegetable and Ornamental Plants is doing innovative, need-driven, environment friendly research, technology development and technology transfer on potatoes, vegetables (hydroponic production as well as indigenous vegetables) and indigenous flowers. Research is aimed at both the commercial and developing agricultural sector. This Division has established a proud record of service to the agricultural industry and a large number of the potato and vegetable cultivars planted in South Africa at present, have been developed by this Division. The improvement of indigenous ornamental plants has also received a great deal of attention, as has indigenous vegetable crops, natural products and indigenous medicinal plants. The Vegetable and Ornamental Plants Division is also a recognised roleplayer in the field of plant biotechnology.