Mrs. Marion Delport
Manager: Data Science Division at BFAP
Who is Mrs. Marion Delport?
Marion Delport is the Manager of the Data Science Division at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), where she leads the integration of advanced analytics into agricultural policy and research. With an MSc in Mathematical Statistics and a strong background in spatial statistics, agricultural economics, and machine learning, Marion plays a pivotal role in bridging academic research and industry innovation. Her work spans collaborative research with international organizations such as the FAO, OECD, and the University of Illinois, and she actively contributes to postgraduate supervision and mentorship. Marion’s leadership in precision agriculture and data-driven decision-making continues to shape BFAP’s contributions to sustainable agricultural development in South Africa and beyond.
Areas of Expertise
- Data science applications in Agriculture – application of spatial statistics, machine learning and big data analytics towards impact evaluations of trial and other project work in agriculture.
- Agricultural sector modelling – Development and application of quantitative models to forecast trends in production, consumption, and trade.
- Value chain analysis – Identifying bottlenecks and opportunities within complex agricultural value chains.
- Capacity building – Sharing knowledge through research supervision, training, and collaborative projects.
Key Roles & Contributions
- Manager of Data Science at BFAP – the integration of advanced analytics into agricultural policy and research.
- Economic modeller – Designs and implements advanced economic models to support decision-making for industry and government.
- Collaborative research – Works closely with academic institutions and research partners to drive innovation in agricultural economics.
- Knowledge dissemination – Shares insights through publications, presentations, and mentorship.
Academic Achievements & Affiliations
- MSc in Mathematical Statistics – Holds a master’s degree in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Pretoria.
- Academic collaboration – Maintains strong ties with the academic community through research and teaching.
- Published author – Contributes to peer-reviewed journals and industry reports on agronomy, agricultural markets and policy.
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