Fifth Urban Agri World Summit
Lecturer in Agricultural Management Anton Gresse (right) presented on regenerative agriculture at the Fifth Urban Agri World Summit recently. This holistic approach to farming emphasises restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and using natural ecological services to sustainably produce food.
Regenerative agriculture fosters a balanced ecosystem where plants and animals thrive together by employing crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and integrated animal grazing.
This diversity improves resilience, supports pollinators, sequesters carbon, and maintains nutrient-rich soils, ultimately creating a self-sustaining cycle that reduces the need for synthetic inputs and enhances long-term agricultural productivity.
National Congress for Agricultural Technologists
From left, Belinda Koen, Rudi Vos, Lize du Preez, Juanita Steenkamp and Yolanda Venter.
Lecturer in Agricultural Management on George Campus Lize du Preez was invited to speak at the National Congress for Agricultural Technologists in Wilderness, South Africa.
She presented on agricultural trends and how education and research institutions can ensure that they stay relevant and make a lasting impact.
Nutrient output of earthworms
Thuto Lentsa (left), an Honours student in Natural Resource Management, studied how different organic wastes affect the nutrient output of Red Wiggler (Eisenia fetida) earthworms.
He used coffee grounds, grass clippings, and a combination of both as feed sources and examined nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels in the resulting vermicompost.
The study found coffee grounds produced the highest nitrogen, while grass clippings contributed the most potassium and phosphorus.
The mixed treatment resulted in a balanced nutrient profile, showing that combining different organic materials can enhance nutrient stability. This research emphasised the potential of optimized vermicomposting as an eco-friendly fertilizer option.
Earthworms thriving outside their native climate
Another honours project on earthworms by Mizingisi Dlokweni (left) is entitled An Analysis of Adaptive and Production Potential of African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus Eugeniae) Earthworms.
It examined the ability of African nightcrawler earthworms to thrive in vermicomposting outside their native subtropical climate.
As global interest in sustainable agriculture grows, vermicomposting is seen as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers, turning organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.
The study explored how different feed sources—coffee grounds, grass clippings, and a combination of both—along with environmental factors like temperature and moisture, affected the adaptability and productivity of Eudrilus eugeniae.
The findings showed that while these earthworms can potentially be used in various climates, they may face challenges in non-subtropical environments, limiting their productivity in vermicomposting applications. The research offers insights into using African nightcrawlers for sustainable waste management and soil health improvement in diverse settings.
Fly larvae as natural fertilizer
Honours student Zikhona Badi (right) performed a trial on George Campus to evaluate the potential of BSF Frass (Black soldier fly frass comes from the waste processing of BSF larvae) as a natural fertilizer against commercial inorganic and organic fertilizers se trials were done on George Campus.
West Coast study tour
Advanced Diploma: Agricultural Management students, along with some Honours students, were invited on a West Coast tour.
For many, it was their first experience, and with their lecturer Mr Clovis Bhiya acting as their guide, the students gained a unique perspective on the landscape through an agriculturist’s lens, making the trip more engaging.
The tour passed through Swellendam, Robertson, Ashton, and Worcester, before reaching Saldanha Bay, where they visited a mussel aquaculture farm.
They travelled by boat to observe the mussel production process and even tasted freshly harvested mussels.
On the return journey, they stopped at Elsenburg Agricultural College, Fruitways apple farm in Grabouw, and learned about its history and the company’s connection with the George Campus.
The group also heard about alumnus Falizwa Sijora's success at the company.