Hidaayatullah Tayyib is at the forefront of sustainable agricultural innovation. After encountering several challenges in getting his agricultural venture with fertiliser off the ground in South Africa, Tayyib had to switch it up and explore market opportunities in the United States.
His company, Aquaorganix, was founded in 2013 in Tayyib’s southern suburbs backyard in Cape Town. Initially focused on aquaponics, his company transformed fish waste into high-performance plant-based fertilisers.
However, Tayyib faced limitations due to its reliance on fish waste so he switched and explored alternative sources of organic material to produce fertilisers. And it’s a good thing he did.
Innovation knows no bounds
Today, AquaOrganix stands as a leader in sustainable agricultural innovation, converting organic waste into valuable agricultural inputs. By repurposing agricultural and food waste into premium fertilisers, they actively reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
“Our commitment to environmental sustainability is exemplified by our ability to convert food waste into high-quality fertiliser within 24 hours,” says Tayyib.
The company’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, Barloworld Mbewu recognised AquaOrganix as one of South Africa’s leading social entrepreneurial initiatives, highlighting its leadership in sustainable farming practices.
“Among our revolutionary creations is a dry soil amendment derived from food waste. Not only does this product enrich the soil, but it also boasts the remarkable ability to reduce water usage by up to 50%.
“Additionally, we developed a waste-based biostimulant (power shot) capable of cutting seed germination times in half.”
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Catering to farmers’ needs
AquaOrganix understands that farmers have diverse needs, which is why their plant-based NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) options cater to the diverse needs of both soil-based and hydroponic farmers. This offers a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilisers.
When Algina’s Wholesale Nursery in Firgrove, outside Somerset West, faced challenges with their brassica and spinach seedlings, AquaOrganix offered a helping hand. The seedlings were in a dire state, showing signs of distress with yellowing leaves, weakening stems, and a stunted root system.
“Since using this product, it looks like the plants are stressing less, they are growing much faster and much better. Their root system is much bigger,” says Alan Simons, co-founder of Algina’s Wholesale Nursery.
Overcoming obstacles
Tayyib’s journey has not been without stumbling blocks.
Despite challenges, including repeated attacks on facilities in the Western Cape region causing equipment loss, the company faced operational difficulties. Patenting the waste conversion method was also hindered by South African regulations.
“A particularly devastating setback occurred when we lost a substantial R1 million investment from Small Enterprise Finance Agency, contingent upon securing product registration.
“Despite our best efforts, repeated applications and exhaustive fertiliser analysis tests failed to sway the department of agriculture. Six jobs were lost and the dream of changing the face of agriculture in South Africa died along with it.”
Due to the delays, Tayyib decided to make a strategic move to the United States in 2023. AquaOrganix now operates in Atlanta, Georgia, where he has garnered widespread acclaim among commercial farmers, nurseries, and home-growers alike.
“Our transition to the United States marked a pivotal moment for AquaOrganix. We found an ecosystem where visionary ideas are nurtured, enabling us to scale our sustainable agricultural solutions,” he says.
However, he still supplies interested South African farmers.
Looking ahead, Aquaorganix aspires to become a key player in sustainable agriculture, with widespread adoption of its regenerative fertilisers.
The company envisions a future where billions of pounds of food waste are transformed into valuable agricultural inputs, contributing to global efforts against climate change.
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Tayyib’s advice for budding agripreneurs:
For aspiring agripreneurs considering ventures in the United States or new countries, Tayyib offers advice:
- Be ready to start completely over.
- Start-up costs in the USA have been much lower than in South Africa.
- Always do market research before making the big jump. Know what you are getting yourself into.
- The market responds to a high-quality product and its sustainable record.
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