Crops

The potential of waste valorisation came into focus at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy.

Agricultural and food-processing residues are increasingly being recognised as resources for producing biofertilisers and soil improvers

Agri-food waste valorisation offers a way to recover nutrients and organic matter from production residues, creating alternative agricultural inputs while reducing disposal. Converting residual biomass into commercially viable products, however, requires suitable processing technologies, effective supply chains and collaboration across the food and agricultural sectors.

The potential of waste valorisation came into focus at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy, where a workshop under the European DeliSoil project examined ways to convert agri-food by-products into useful agricultural products.

Held on 12 November, the third day of the agricultural machinery exhibition, the session titled ‘Biofertilisers from Residual Biomass’ brought together researchers, businesses and industry stakeholders to examine technological developments and practical approaches to resource recovery.

The event took place as part of DeliSoil, with the Italian Biomass Association (ITABIA), the Italian National Interuniversity Consortium for Environmental Sciences (CINSA) and the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) among the organisations involved.

Turning agri-food by-products into soil resources

The workshop covered different stages of the by-product value chain, from residue collection and processing to the production of soil improvers, biofertilisers and other agricultural products.

Discussions also addressed circular business models involving farms, food-processing companies and businesses in the bioeconomy sector. Stronger links between residue producers and processing businesses can help establish reliable supply chains and create routes for recovered materials to enter agricultural markets.

Recovering nutrients from food-processing residues also offers a way to diversify the sources of agricultural inputs while making better use of organic resources already available within food production systems.

DeliSoil advances circular approaches to soil improvement

The workshop provided an opportunity to share progress from DeliSoil, a Horizon Europe project running from June 2023 to May 2027. The initiative aims to develop safe, sustainable and tailored soil improvers by recovering and processing residues from food production. DeliSoil follows a multi-actor approach, bringing together stakeholders across five regional Living Labs to develop and test soil improvers made from food-processing by-products.

One area highlighted at EIMA was the conversion of residual biomass into biochar. Used as a soil amendment, biochar can improve soil properties and contribute to carbon storage, providing an additional application for organic materials that might otherwise be discarded.

Companies and start-ups also presented waste valorisation and nutrient recovery solutions, illustrating how research and technological innovation can translate into commercial applications.

Commercial cooperation remains essential for wider adoption

The workshop's closing roundtable focused on the economic and organisational challenges involved in bringing circular practices into wider use.

Participants considered barriers to adoption and the need for closer coordination between research institutions, businesses and public authorities. Beyond processing technology, wider implementation depends on commercially viable models, consistent access to residual materials and clear routes to market for the resulting products.

For farmers and food-processing businesses, investment decisions will also depend on the practical and economic performance of recovered soil inputs compared with existing alternatives.

Circular resource management can support healthier soils

The developments presented at EIMA 2026 highlighted the potential to connect food-industry waste recovery with agricultural soil management.

For projects such as DeliSoil, the wider opportunity lies in recovering nutrients and organic matter that can contribute to soil improvement while diversifying the range of agricultural inputs. Results from the project's five Living Labs will help assess the agronomic performance, environmental suitability and practical application of recycled soil improvers as the initiative moves towards completion in 2027.

Bambara groundnuts, an underrated African crop, can potentially diversify crop production and significantly contribute to food security, as per scientists' studies conducted on indigenous crops

Simulate 49 growing seasons based on 50 years of climate and soil data, scientists have found October to be the ideal time for the highest yields as it marks the onset of monsoon in the region. Planting any later than that exposes the crop to frost, reducing growth potential. 

As climate change and drought are increasingly affecting the growth of mainstream crops like maize, wheat and rice, indigenous crops are emerging as the best alternatives because of its high drought tolerance capacity.

Crops like bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea) are nutrient-rich, carrying vital minerals, including fiber, protein and zinc, iron and calcium. 

Researcher Richard Kunz stressed on the urgency of educating farmers about different kinds of indigenous crops to build climate resilience.

Using the Food and Agriculture Organization AquaCrop model, the scientists simulated growing conditions across 5,838 altitude zones in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, accounting for daily rainfall, air temperature, water retention, planting dates and plant density. The model analyzed growing seasons from 1950 to 1999.

“Our research stops smallholders from gambling their livelihoods on land suitability maps based on long-term climate averages, giving them and extension officers practical advice to ensure reliable crop production,” Kunz said.

Kenya, Ethiopia lead global floral supply in Q3 2026. (Image source: Royal FloraHolland)

Florists conglomerate, Royal FloraHolland, noted a boost in international supplies from Kenya and Ethiopia in the third quarter of 2026, even when it lagged behind in pricing for consistently low product revenues 

Overall, the conglomerate noted a stable market for the third quarter. Although fewer units were traded in flowers, houseplants and garden plants compared with a year ago, positive pricing ensured that revenue remained largely stable. Higher prices compensated for the lower volume, particularly in houseplants and garden plants, while the cut-flower market faced the pressure of lower prices in a number of major product groups.

Thomas Bugel, chief grower value management at RFH, said, “It is good to see that flowers, plants and trees remained in high demand even during the extremely hot summer weather in the past quarter, at a level broadly comparable to last year. Flowers play an important role in bringing people together, whilst greenery in outdoor environments can help to limit ‘heat stress’ during hot summers. In a challenging market environment, the sector once again demonstrated its resilience this quarter. Entrepreneurship, market focus and added value are becoming increasingly important in this regard.”

The third quarter reflected high market volatility as the flowers and plants are having to largely adapt to its frequently changing conditions. As prices continue to soar, it speaks of stable demand for distinctive products and quality, acting as offset to a significant proportion of the lower volume.

Despite a challenging market environment, the sector is thus once again demonstrating its resilience. However, the differences between product groups remain significant, making entrepreneurship, market focus and added value increasingly important.

Exxaro invests US$2.18mn in Cofimvaba agricultural facility. (Image source: Exxaro)

Exxaro Resources has officially opened a sheep-shearing and hydroponics facility worth R36 million (approx. US$2.18mn) in EliXeni Village, Cofimvaba, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape

The development reinforces the company’s efforts to expand sustainable economic opportunities and support community development beyond its mining activities.

Established under Exxaro Matla Mine’s Social and Labour Plan (SLP), the facility combines conventional livestock farming with modern agricultural production through a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponics enterprise. It aims to strengthen agricultural productivity, generate employment, support sustainable livelihoods and increase local food production across EliXeni, eThunzini and Ezingxingweni villages in Cofimvaba. The infrastructure is intended to provide sheep farmers and hydroponics beneficiaries with opportunities to earn sustainable incomes while laying the groundwork for an agricultural hub serving the wider Cofimvaba community.

Construction encompassed site establishment, civil and structural works, a sheep-shearing shed, dipping facilities, equipment procurement, a packhouse and hydroponics infrastructure. The project has created employment opportunities for 74 people to date.

The facility is equipped to support substantial agricultural output. During the annual shearing season, the operation is expected to handle up to 500 sheep daily, producing approximately 22,418 kg of wool annually. The hydroponics enterprise consists of two tunnels, with an estimated annual capacity of approximately 90,000 heads of lettuce and spinach.

Ben Magara, CEO of Exxaro, said, “For Exxaro, impact is measured not only by what we extract from the ground, from solar and wind, but by what we help communities build beyond the surface for generations to come. This facility brings together traditional farming and modern agricultural technology to create sustainable economic opportunities, while demonstrating how SLPs can translate mining investment into meaningful socio-economic development. Although Cofimvaba is not a host community to our mining operations, it is part of our broader labour-sending footprint, and we believe our responsibility extends to the communities from which our people originate. By investing in productive infrastructure and sustainable livelihoods, we are helping build stronger, more resilient communities and ensuring that the benefits of mining extend beyond the mine boundary.”

The initiative also highlights the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in delivering sustainable community development. Such projects depend on collaboration between multiple stakeholders, combining financial resources with technical expertise, institutional backing, local knowledge and community participation. Bringing these contributions together can help establish initiatives capable of delivering long-term benefits.

Gwede Mantashe, minister of mineral and petroleum resources (DMPR), said, “We are pleased to hand over the newly constructed sheep-shearing shed to local farmers in Cofimvaba. We thank Exxaro for contributing to the construction of this important facility through its Social and Labour Plan. Named after the late Deputy President of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Crosby Moni, the facility will support local farmers, create sustainable economic opportunities and strengthen agricultural development in the community. This is the transformation we seek to achieve in the mining industry, where mining is not only seen as extractive, but also as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and improved livelihoods. Mining must leave a lasting and positive legacy in both host communities and labour-sending areas”.

Exxaro’s investment reflects its wider approach to responsible business and sustainable social development. The company emphasises that its role extends beyond regulatory compliance and mineral extraction to include stakeholder engagement, community investment and a long-term commitment to improving social and economic outcomes.

The facility’s inauguration coincides with Exxaro’s 20th anniversary of listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The occasion offers an opportunity to consider the company’s development and its contribution to employees, communities, business partners and South Africa’s broader economy.

Looking ahead, Exxaro intends to continue collaborating with government, communities and other stakeholders to identify and develop initiatives that advance sustainable socio-economic progress. The company’s approach recognises that its long-term sustainability is closely connected to the resilience and prosperity of the communities within its wider social and economic network.