The South African agricultural landscape is witnessing a profound shift as sustainable technology takes centre stage. Instrumental in this change is Mogale Maleka, the founder of Agang Bokamoso Farms (AB Farms), who was honoured with the top prize at the 2025 Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP-SA). This prestigious award recognises trailblazers who develop environmental solutions to combat the modern climate crisis and promote a greener economy.

The event, which was held on 20 March 2025 at The Maslow Hotel in Johannesburg, underscored the critical need for climate-resilient infrastructure in South Africa, which is increasingly affected by the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Turning challenges into breakthroughs

The beginning of AB Farms was rooted in Maleka’s experience with the harsh realities facing local farmers. South Africa’s agricultural sector is frequently hampered by acute water scarcity, a volatile electricity supply and a diminishing amount of arable land. Recognising that traditional farming methods were becoming unsustainable, Maleka engineered a hydroponic turnkey solution specifically designed to thrive under these constraints.

His system is a marvel of resource efficiency. By utilising a closed-loop water circulation mechanism, the technology ensures that water waste is virtually eliminated. Furthermore, the system is designed for total resilience; it integrates renewable energy sources, such as solar power and battery storage, allowing it to remain fully operational in remote, off-grid locations. This independence from national infrastructure empowers farmers to maintain consistent food production even during power outages or water restrictions.

Unrivalled resource efficiency

The impact of the AB Farms system is best understood through its remarkable ability to conserve resources. During the awards, Maleka’s innovation was praised for its capacity to transform how we think about food security and environmental footprint.

The most noteworthy technical achievements of the AB Farms system include:

  • Water conservation: The technology enables crop production using up to 90% less water than traditional soil-based farming.
  • Land optimisation: It allows for intensive cultivation, requiring 10 times less land to produce the same yield as conventional methods.
  • Energy savings: Through the use of integrated renewable energy, the system slashes electricity consumption by 50%.
  • Chemical reduction: The precision of the hydroponic delivery system results in a 40% reduction in fertiliser usage.
  • Operational resilience: The design ensures that irrigation remains uninterrupted despite local water disruptions or national grid failures.

A catalyst for national change

The GCIP-SA programme is a vital component of South Africa’s strategy to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement. By accelerating cleantech startups, the initiative supports the national goal of reducing carbon emissions to between 350 and 420 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.

While AB Farms claimed the top spot, the 2025 awards also highlighted other significant innovators. Professor Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, addressed the attendees, emphasising that unsustainable consumption patterns have led to environmental disasters like droughts and floods. He praised the finalists for providing the innovative “climate-resilient” answers that the country desperately requires.

Mogale Maleka, founder of AB Farms, receives the top prize of R200 000 at the 2025 TIA GCIP-SA. With him (from left to right) is Ismail Abdoola (TIA Acting CEO), Mahlako Maleka, Prof Blade Nzimande (Minister of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation), Mogale Maleka, Loyiso Tyira (TIA Chairperson of the board) and Diego Masera (former Regional Representative for Southern Africa for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation).

A global vision and advice for the future

For Maleka, winning the GCIP-SA award is more than just a personal milestone; it is a gateway to the international stage. “This recognition validates our vision and opens doors to new funding, partnerships and market access,” he said. The scalability of the AB Farms system offers a potential solution for food security in water-scarce regions worldwide, and Maleka is now preparing to introduce his technology to global markets.

Maleka also left a lasting message for aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs, particularly students at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). He encouraged them to see today’s environmental and social obstacles as opportunities for innovation. He urged the next generation to pair their technical knowledge with curiosity and persistence, reminding them that the world requires bold thinkers to solve real-world problems.

The success of AB Farms serves as a beacon of hope for a more sustainable and food-secure future across Africa and beyond.

For more information, contact AB Farms on (+27)-74-477-3123 or send an email to mogalem@Abfarms.co.za or visit their website at www.abfarms.co.za