Reuben Riley makes a living merging scientific principles with agriculture to help reduce the risk of plant diseases and enhance plant growth and yield. Through his company, BioAge, he produces biofertilisers that are changing how farmers produce food, while increasing production levels.
It is an area of expertise he has dedicated his life to. And depending on who you ask, Riley is much like a magician. A plant magician.
“BioAge is essentially a scientifically developed agri biotech company that is merging science with agriculture to introduce something that we want to call molecular formula,” he explains.
Among other things, his work involves selecting suitable microorganisms such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilising bacteria, or potassium-solubilising bacteria that are then cultured in a laboratory under controlled conditions to increase their population.
How his journey started
Riley’s plant science journey started when he travelled to the Eastern Cape to do research where he saw many households were planting crops but not succeeding.
“The crops were failing predominantly because they didn’t have access to fertilisers or the fertiliser prices were too high. I saw an opportunity in my research to help plants grow with physiological processes,” he says.
The Eastern Cape is an important component of his research, but also his company BioAge.
“Taking a technology or an idea and converting it into a successful business was a massive challenge because they’re two separate entities and businesses are multi, complex, and multifaceted. And you need to know all these processes from logistics, procurement, customer acquisitions, and marketing,” Riley explains.
Making a difference through science
For Riley, this was not an easy journey but it remains one that is bursting with opportunities. Education, he says, played a crucial role in unlocking opportunities for him, which is why he encourages young people to always learn something each day.
Currently a PhD student in biotechnology, Riley shares he always had a love for academics. However, only one thing ever piqued his interest and that was to make a difference through science.
“Through my studies [I] got a greater understanding of plants and in my postgraduate studies specialised in sustainable agricultural models in South Africa. [I] went on further [to] specialise [in] using biofertilisers as a technology, to reduce food poverty in South Africa.”
By implementing these scientific ideas, Riley believes plant growth in the country can be maximised. When he learned this, he never looked at plants ever the same again.
“Through the field studies I’m able to understand the plants in a different environment. This piqued my interest,” Riley explains.
Failing and falling
It’s critical in this field to have a growing mindset, particularly when starting a business, Riley believes. Even during times of failure, he says one should not give up.
“You need to tell yourself you are going [to succeed]. That’s [the] difference between being stuck in one place, bettering yourself, and learning from [mistakes] to succeed.”
Tips from Riley for entrepreneurs interested in science:
- Have an open mindset.
- Stick to your vision.
- Build good connections and relationships.
- You need to be willing to do the work.
- Always take up an educational course to learn.
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