The Converstaion : South Africa’s farmers aren’t yet replacing chemical fertilisers with sustainable alternatives – this is why

A recent article published on the 10th of April, 2026 in The Conversation by Mokgadi Miranda Hlongwane, a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, points out that many rural farming communities remain dependent on government financial support to purchase agricultural supplies like fertilisers.

Mrs. Hlongwane notes that limited access to biological fertilizers and insufficient knowledge regarding their proper application have discouraged farmers from transitioning. Many are seeking information on where to purchase these fertilizers and how to utilize them effectively, with the challenge further exacerbated by the readily available supply of chemical fertilizers.

The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries provides free chemical fertilisers to small-scale farmers in South Africa. Research on low uptake of climate‑smart agriculture technologiesidentifieslimited funding, low awareness, and poor access to agricultural inputs as main barriers. Offering biological fertilisers through this programme could greatly boost adoption.

Mrs Hlongwane notes that rural farmers seldom analyse their soil, making it hard to choose the right fertilisers. As a result, soil health worsens and crop yields drop.

Click below to read the full article in The Conversation.