South Africa has launched a pilot biodegradable agricultural mulch film at a pineapple farm in the Eastern Cape as part of its initiative to reduce plastic waste in farming.
This project is led by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).
It seeks to demonstrate how biodegradable alternatives can replace conventional petroleum-based plastics in agriculture.
The initiative supports South Africa’s commitment to promoting circular economy practices and sustainable agriculture for food security and environmental sustainability.
“We have developed different formulations to suit short, medium, and long-duration crops, incorporating locally sourced natural materials that add an economic aspect to their environmental benefits,” explained Vincent Ojijjo, CSIR’s Research Group Leader for Advanced Polymer and Composites.
These biodegradable mulches decompose completely in the soil after the cropping cycle, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide, and organic biomass, which enhances soil and crop performance.
The DSTI plans to explore scalable pathways for this innovation, while the CSIR aims to raise farmer awareness and establish partnerships to facilitate adoption.
