The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) hosted its third Food Security and Safety (FSS) seminar on 8 August 2024.
NWU alumnus and CEO of Eco-Agro Enterprise Pty Ltd Dr Sydwell Sihlangu was the guest speaker.
Dr Sihlangu spoke about academic entrepreneurship, which he described as a means of commercialisation, transforming knowledge into products, processes and organisations, thereby contributing to economic growth and innovation.
"A legal framework and institutional mechanisms have been set up through policies promoting collaboration between industry and universities. Research output and innovation commercialisation, intellectual property registration, and startup ventures are all critical components of this approach," he explained.
Eco-Agro Enterprise is a leader in mushroom production and sustainable agriculture, and aims to transform agriculture through innovative techniques, addressing food insecurity, poverty and malnutrition across Africa.
Its business model includes manufacturing and retailing mushroom products under the brand MushMag, alongside farmer training and starter packs. Their target market includes smallholder and commercial farmers, agricultural cooperatives, youth and women farmer groups, and educational institutions.
"We aim to be the leading sustainable producer of mushrooms in the region and beyond," said Dr Sihlangu. "Our approach integrates crop production with educational outreach, providing training and resources to farmers.
"We provide quality spawn to mushroom farmers and promote entrepreneurship through agribusiness. Our products and training empower communities and contribute to economic growth," he added.
Eco-Agro's use of mushroom substrate residue as organic matter for vegetable production reduces reliance on chemical fertilisers, promoting eco-friendly farming.
"Mushrooms are not only nutritious but also offer medicinal benefits. They lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and have potential anti-cancer properties," he explained.
The company’s efforts have achieved milestones such as providing alternative mushroom production technologies and contributing to poverty reduction. "Our work is about more than just farming, it's about creating sustainable livelihoods and a healthier future for all," emphasised Dr Sihlangu.
More about Dr Sihlangu
Dr Sihlangu, an entrepreneur and professional crop scientist, has two decades of experience in agriculture. His expertise spans mycology, horticulture, agronomy and research and innovation. He holds a BSc and MSc in crop science, a PhD in mycology, and a national diploma in plant Production. He is also affiliated with the South African Council for Natural Scientist professions.
His contributions to agriculture have been recognised by several organisations, including the African Union (2024), Unisa Science Campus Innovation Day (2023), Kenya Innovation Week (2022), and SADC Industrialisation Week (2022). He has also been acknowledged by the Eskom Agrivoltaic project, Innovate Durban, and the Royal Academy of Engineering in London, among others.
Over the past decade, he has trained more than 200 farmers from various countries, including South Africa, contributing significantly to the agricultural sector in the North West and Mpumalanga provinces.
Dr Sydwell Sihlangu.
