Plastic free farming takes root in SA

Plastic free farming takes root in SA

Plastic-free farming is being tested on a pineapple farm in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

A field trial of biodegradable agricultural mulch films is currently underway on a pineapple farm in Peddie, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, marking a significant step forward for sustainable agriculture in South Africa and the scaling of circular economy practices.

The project is funded by the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), through its South African Circular Economy Demonstration Fund.

Led by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the initiative aims to demonstrate the viability of biodegradable mulch films as a circular economy intervention for the agricultural sector. The trial forms part of a broader effort to reduce plastic waste derived from fossil fuels in farming while enhancing crop performance.

The South African Circular Economy Demonstration Fund, a government initiative implemented through Circular Innovation South Africa, supports the demonstration of tested circular economy innovations, ranging from new technologies to improved processes and social interventions that have not yet achieved scale or widespread impact locally.

“This visit is a key milestone,” said Prof Linda Godfrey, Manager of Circular Innovation South Africa. “It allows stakeholders to see, first-hand, a home-grown circular innovation that could transform how farmers use plastic mulches – an area of agriculture that is overdue for sustainable alternatives.”

Site visit by DSTI DDG on 11 July 2025

DSTI Deputy Director-General of Socio-Economic Innovation Partnerships, accompanied by Prof. Linda Godfrey, members of the CSIR technical team, including Dr Vincent Ojijo, Research Group Leader for Advanced Polymer and Composites (APC) and Osei Ofosu, Research Engineer from APC, as well as the local agricultural extension office, visited the trial site on Friday, 11 July 2025.

What is different about the biodegradable mulch films?

The biodegradable mulch films being trialled are designed to match the functionality of conventional fossil-fuel-derived plastic mulches, improving crop yields, conserving soil moisture, regulating temperature and suppressing weeds, without the lasting environmental burden.

Traditional mulches, typically made from petroleum-based plastics, often contribute to microplastic pollution and are seldom recycled due to contamination with soil and organic matter.

In contrast, the new biobased and biodegradable mulch films are engineered to break down completely in soil after the cropping cycle, decomposing into water, carbon dioxide and organic biomass.

“We’ve developed different formulations to suit short, medium and long-duration crops,” said Dr Ojijo, who further added, “What’s more, our formulations incorporate natural materials sourced locally, adding an economic dimension to their environmental value.”

“For the DSTI, the site visit is an opportunity to evaluate the real-world impact of its investment and to explore pathways to scale the innovation,” said Dr. Mmboneni Muofhe, DSTI Deputy Director-General of Socio-Economic Innovation Partnerships.

For the CSIR and the broader research community, it serves as a platform to engage farmers, technology adopters and policymakers around the benefits of biodegradable agricultural mulches.

“This is not just a technical demonstration. It’s a chance to generate awareness and build partnerships that could take this innovation from field trial to market,” added Dr Ojijo.

Image: Advancing sustainable farming practices; biodegradable mulch films laid across a pineapple farm, showcasing eco-friendly solutions for improved soil health, moisture retention, and sustainable crop production. Image credit: CSIR

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Remember, WhyAfrica will visit several sustainable farming projects during the 45-day-long WhyAfrica Road Trip that departs from Johannesburg, South Africa in late August.

Plastic free farming takes root in SA