South Africa Trials Biodegradable Mulch for Sustainable Farming

South Africa is piloting the use of biodegradable agricultural mulch films at a pineapple farm in the Eastern Cape province, as part of efforts to reduce plastic waste in farming.

The project – led by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) – aims to showcase how biodegradable alternatives can replace conventional fuels-based plastics in agriculture. The initiative aligns with South Africa’s efforts to scale up the adoption of circular economy and sustainable agriculture practices for food security and environmental sustainability.

“We have developed different formulations to suit short, medium and long-duration crops. Our formulations incorporate natural materials sourced locally, adding an economic dimension to their environmental value,” stated Vincent Ojijjo, CSIR’s Research Group Leader for Advanced Polymer and Composites.

The biodegradable mulches fully decompose in the soil after the cropping cycle, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide and organic biomass to enhance soil and crop performance. The DSTI plans to explore scalable pathways for the innovation, while the CSIR seeks to build farmer awareness and forge partnerships to accelerate adoption.