Amahle Bokveld, a PhD student with a background in Microbiology, has found a unique way to integrate her academic knowledge into the world of agriculture through Ulibo-Lokuqala Agricultural Enterprise. Co-founding the enterprise in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bokveld attributes her scientific background not only to her success in agriculture but also to developing essential skills like attention to detail, punctuality, and accuracy, which are vital to running a business. While microbiology itself may not have directly inspired her to start an agricultural venture, she acknowledges that the discipline has provided her with crucial skills and fundamental principles she applies daily.

Venturing into entrepreneurship as an academic has presented its challenges, with Bokveld highlighting the difficulty in balancing her academic responsibilities with the demands of running a business. Both aspects of her life require intense focus and commitment, yet she has managed to navigate this balancing act with support from her team members and mentor, whom she describes as a significant role model for the business.

For Bokveld, agriculture is more than just a business; it is a means of making a meaningful contribution to solving global crises. Her passion for agriculture stems from a desire to address global challenges like food security, which she believes is linked to broader social issues such as crime, inequality, and poor health.

Ulibo-Lokuqala Agricultural Enterprise sets itself apart by focusing on sustainable farming practices and maintaining close relationships with its customers. Bokveld emphasizes the importance of producing high-quality, market-oriented and demand-driven crops, ensuring that the land is used efficiently to meet the needs of consumers. The enterprise prides itself on excellent customer service and a focus on sustainable practices that maximize land usage and produce crops of high market value.

Bokveld’s scientific expertise in microbiology is useful in the day-to-day operations of Ulibo-Lokuqala. Her knowledge of water quality has allowed the business to make informed decisions about irrigation, while her background in environmental and applied microbiology helps ensure the quality of fertilizers used in the farming process. These insights into the finer aspects of agriculture have allowed Ulibo-Lokuqala to maintain a high standard of production while navigating challenges such as climate change, which Bokveld identifies as a major issue for South African farmers. She points to recent heatwaves and extreme frost events as examples of how unpredictable weather patterns have severely impacted agricultural output across the country, with farmers losing large percentages of their produce.

Despite these challenges, Bokveld sees opportunities in the agricultural sector, particularly as global food security becomes a pressing issue. She notes that more people are likely to venture into agriculture in the future, which could help bridge the gap between the increasing demand for food and the available supply. Scaling Ulibo-Lokuqala has not been without its difficulties. Bokveld explains that a lack of machinery initially hindered the growth of the business, but the recent acquisition of a tractor has significantly improved their operations. Irrigation remains another challenge, as the business currently lacks the equipment to cover their entire farm with crops. Nonetheless, Bokveld is still hopeful that through knocking in the relevant doors funding will be secured to assist with the improvement of their irrigation system.

One of Bokveld’s proudest achievements is the resilience her team has shown over the past four years. Despite starting during the difficult COVID-19 period, Ulibo-Lokuqala has managed to thrive without external funding, surviving where many businesses have failed. The enterprise’s recent recognition by the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier (ECOTP), which awarded them a tractor, stands as a testament to their hard work and dedication. Ulibo-Lokuqala now serves a wide range of customers from Alice to East London, marking a significant expansion in its market reach.

Bokveld’s recent participation in the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) student entrepreneurship competition has brought further recognition to Ulibo-Lokuqala, having secured first place. This win, she says, was not just a victory for her team but also for the larger community, inspiring other young entrepreneurs, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue their business dreams. She emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship in addressing South Africa’s unemployment crisis, urging aspiring entrepreneurs to think beyond traditional business models.

As Ulibo-Lokuqala prepares for the national round of the EDHE competition, Bokveld is focused on improving her presentation through the growth of the business. While winning the competition is a goal, she is equally focused on establishing new relationships and networks, viewing the competition as an opportunity to introduce the enterprise to the broader entrepreneurial community.

Looking ahead, Bokveld is exploring innovative agricultural technologies, such as drone technology for pesticide application, to further enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Ulibo-Lokuqala. She envisions the enterprise contributing to the improvement of South Africa’s GDP. Her advice to aspiring student entrepreneurs is simple: the solution to unemployment in South Africa lies in entrepreneurship, which offers endless opportunities for growth and impact. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, Bokveld and Ulibo-Lokuqala Agricultural Enterprise are well-positioned to make a lasting difference in both the agricultural sector and the community at large.