By Gofaone Motsamai

As a young girl growing up in the Free State, Dineo Majoang watched her grandparents raise chickens, pigs and cattle in their small yard, making a living from the little they had. Those early experiences shaped her interest in farming and the challenges faced by rural households.

It guided her research, and she recently completed an MSc degree in animal science at the North-West University (NWU). Her dissertation examined how a by-product from mushroom production could be used in poultry feed to reduce the effects of aflatoxins, which are poisonous, carcinogenic substances produced by certain moulds.

“Aflatoxicosis is a silent challenge affecting both animals and humans, especially in rural areas where feed quality control is limited,” she explains. “My goal was to find sustainable, cost-effective solutions that small-scale farmers can easily adopt.”

Mushroom waste combats toxicity

Dineo’s study is titled “Oyster mushroom spent substrate modulation of aflatoxicosis in layers: physiology, egg and bone quality”. It investigated whether incorporating oyster mushroom spent substrate (OMSS), a waste product from mushroom cultivation, into poultry feed could reduce aflatoxin toxicity in egg-laying chickens.

Her findings revealed that while higher inclusion levels of OMSS worsened some physiological effects, a 2% inclusion rate improved certain egg, meat and bone quality parameters, showing promise for future feed innovation.

Her research seeks to introduce affordable and environmentally friendly feed solutions, enabling rural farmers to cut costs and improve productivity.

“Feed makes up about 70% of production costs. If we can use agricultural by-products to make affordable feed, we can uplift farmers, enhance food security and support rural economies,” she says.

Agent for change

Born to Molefi and Malefu Majoang, Dineo grew up in a disadvantaged community where hunger and unemployment were part of daily life. Her vision of using agriculture as a tool for change stemmed from her grandparents, Ramadile and Motsoamasimong Modise, who introduced her to small-scale animal and vegetable farming.

After completing her BSc in agriculture with animal science at the NWU and graduating with distinction, she pursued her MSc specialising in animal nutrition. She also received training in mushroom cultivation, poultry nutrition, feed formulation, green nano-chemistry and statistical analysis.

Currently, Dineo is on a government internship at Mosiane Boerdery in Warden, Free State, where she continues to gain practical experience in farming operations and animal feed management.

Dineo’s long-term vision is to establish programmes that bring together stakeholders to support agricultural entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas. She hopes to own a successful farm one day to create jobs and reduce unemployment.

Outside her research, she mentors young people, gives motivational talks in schools and raises awareness about mental health and substance abuse. Her message to the youth is this: “Be the change you want to see and never stop moving. As the Sesotho saying goes, ‘Mohale o tsoa maroleng’, meaning a hero rises from the ashes.”

Dineo Majoang