A young South African researcher has developed a biodegradable agricultural mulch made from sugarcane bagasse and maize stalks, earning national recognition for an innovation that could reduce plastic pollution, improve soil health and strengthen the circular economy within Africa’s agricultural sector. The breakthrough secured first prize and R150,000 in funding for Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) researcher Onndinadaho Rasilwela at the 2026 Green Youth Indaba, positioning the project among the country’s emerging climate-smart agricultural innovations.
Rasilwela received the award during the Green Youth Indaba, held at Sun City in South Africa’s North West Province from 17 to 19 June 2026. The annual forum brings together young innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and environmental leaders to showcase practical solutions addressing climate change, sustainable development and the green economy.
Her winning project, titled Comparative Synthesis and Analysis of Bioplastic from Hemp and Maize Stalk, focuses on transforming agricultural residues that would otherwise be discarded into biodegradable mulch film for farming applications. Marketed under the name Biomulchies, the material is designed to perform the same functions as conventional plastic mulch; suppressing weeds, conserving soil moisture and regulating soil temperature, while naturally decomposing after use instead of leaving long-term plastic residues in agricultural soils.
The innovation addresses a growing environmental challenge confronting African agriculture. Conventional polyethylene mulch has become widely adopted because of its ability to improve crop productivity and reduce water losses. However, the plastic often fragments into microplastics that accumulate in farmland, affecting soil quality, water systems and long-term agricultural sustainability. Disposal also imposes additional costs on farmers while contributing to broader plastic pollution.
By utilising sugarcane bagasse and maize stalks; two abundant agricultural by-products generated across Southern Africa, Rasilwela’s research demonstrates how waste streams can be converted into higher-value products rather than being burned or discarded. According to circular economy principles increasingly promoted across Africa, agricultural residues represent an underutilised resource capable of supporting sustainable manufacturing while reducing environmental impacts.
The research also compares hemp and maize stalk as feedstocks for bioplastic production, generating scientific evidence on which materials offer the greatest technical performance and commercial potential. Such comparative analysis is expected to support future scaling and industrial production should the technology progress beyond the research stage.
The award reflects increasing attention being given to bio-based materials as governments and industries seek alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics. Globally, biodegradable polymers are attracting growing investment as regulators tighten restrictions on single-use plastics and agricultural sectors seek more sustainable production methods. For Africa, where agriculture contributes substantially to employment and national output, locally produced biodegradable inputs could reduce import dependence while creating new value chains around agricultural waste.
The commercial implications extend beyond environmental benefits. Sugarcane and maize remain among South Africa’s largest agricultural commodities, generating significant volumes of biomass that often carry limited economic value after harvesting. Developing industries capable of converting these residues into bio-based materials could create additional income streams for farmers while supporting rural industrialisation and green manufacturing.
The innovation also illustrates the expanding role of universities in driving applied climate technologies. Tshwane University of Technology has increasingly positioned research commercialisation and entrepreneurship as part of its contribution to South Africa’s green industrial transition. Rasilwela’s achievement emerged through the university’s Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP), an initiative designed to strengthen women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and innovation.
Investment in women-led innovation has become increasingly important across Africa’s sustainable development agenda. Although women constitute a significant share of researchers, entrepreneurs and agricultural workers across the continent, they continue to face barriers in accessing finance, commercialisation opportunities and technology markets. Initiatives that bridge academic research and enterprise development are increasingly recognised as mechanisms for expanding inclusive economic growth while accelerating climate adaptation.
The Green Youth Indaba itself has evolved into an important platform for identifying technologies capable of contributing to South Africa’s environmental priorities, including waste reduction, climate resilience, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. Beyond financial support, participants gain access to networks linking researchers with investors, policymakers and industry stakeholders capable of supporting technology deployment.
For Africa’s agricultural sector, innovations such as Biomulchies demonstrate how climate resilience and economic opportunity can be pursued simultaneously. Rather than viewing agricultural waste as an environmental liability, the research positions biomass as a strategic industrial resource capable of supporting sustainable manufacturing, reducing plastic pollution and strengthening food production systems.
As African governments continue implementing circular economy strategies alongside climate adaptation policies, technologies that convert waste into commercially viable environmental solutions are expected to become increasingly significant. Whether Biomulchies reaches commercial production will depend on further technical validation, manufacturing partnerships and market adoption. Nevertheless, the innovation reflects a broader trend in which young African scientists are developing locally grounded solutions to challenges affecting both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.
