Zandile Kumalo has emerged as a trailblazer in hydroponic urban agriculture, proving that successful farming is about more than producing high-quality crops—it also demands strategic thinking, collaboration, and resilience.
Kumalo co-owns Neighbour Roots and HyHarvest, two hydroponic farms operating in shopping centres across Gauteng, South Africa. By leveraging underutilized urban spaces, she has created productive farms that supply restaurants directly, eliminating transport costs while ensuring fresh, high-quality produce.
“Hydroponics cost more to erect than open farming, but the price for the produce is the same,” Kumalo explains. “You need someone who understands the risk of farming and has the patience to wait for a return.”
From Rooftops to Parking Lots
Kumalo’s journey to rooftop farming was not simple. After approaching 19 shopping centres, she partnered with Morningside Shopping Centre in Johannesburg in 2020 to launch a 300m² rooftop farm, producing lettuce, spinach, basil, microgreens, and tomatoes.
In 2023, she expanded via a 400m² hydroponic farm in River Square shopping centre’s parking lot with her company HyHarvest, focusing on spring onions for an offtake agreement with Harvest Fresh. This approach mitigates the structural challenges of rooftops while transforming unused urban spaces into vibrant, productive areas.
Learning the Hard Way
Kumalo’s path was paved with costly lessons. Early mistakes included poor greenhouse ventilation, crop choices misaligned with local demand, lack of backup electricity, and insufficient market research.
“Hydroponics is unforgiving. Any mistake in nutrient supply or water flow can ruin a crop,” she says. “Learning from those mistakes is what makes us successful today.”
Her diploma in analytical chemistry has been invaluable in mastering the precise nutrient formulations required for hydroponic crops, while her collaboration with business partners and NGOs has ensured efficiency, zero waste, and steady market access.
Scaling Production and Securing the Future
Neighbour Roots and HyHarvest now supply a range of leafy vegetables and herbs year-round, with a strict focus on precision, quality, and sustainability. Staff are trained extensively, with a strong emphasis on commitment and discipline, as any oversight can jeopardize the entire operation.
Looking ahead, Kumalo plans to establish a 5–10 hectare hydroponic agri-hub on ground-level, state-owned land, aiming to create jobs, develop skills, and scale food production cost-effectively.
“Setting up the operation on the ground costs less than half the amount as on the rooftop. Going forward we want to keep it simple and cost-effective,” she notes.
Her journey exemplifies grit, adaptability, and strategic collaboration, offering a blueprint for aspiring urban farmers.
“Do your market research and understand your location. Know what you can grow, where, and how much you can sell. That knowledge is what separates successful farmers from struggling ones,” Kumalo advises.
