From rural roots to academic heights

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Nosipho Precious Minenhle Phungula comes from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal. Raised in a family deeply involved in both livestock and crop production, she spent much of her childhood helping in the garden and observing the agricultural work.

After completing school in Pietermaritzburg, she earned both a BSc and MSc in Agriculture from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She then pursued a PhD in Botany at the University of Johannesburg, supported by a Potatoes SA bursary.

Today, Nosipho continues her academic journey as a postdoctoral researcher at North-West University – a testament to her passion, perseverance, and commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity in smallholder systems.

Sparking agri-ambitions

Nosipho’s interest in agriculture was inspired by a family relative who worked as an extension officer. Witnessing how his work improved producers’ lives inspired her to contribute to rural development and food security.

Outside of her academic pursuits, she has been actively involved in her community. She mentors Grade 12 learners in her village, encouraging them to explore careers in agriculture. Her personal qualities – discipline, critical thinking, adaptability, and self-motivation – have helped her succeed in both her studies and career goals.

Although potatoes were planted annually in her family garden, yields were often low. Studying crop science helped Nosipho understand the missing management practices and sparked her determination to improve potato production. Her research focussed on integrated approaches to increase yields, manage disease (particularly late blight), and improve soil water management. By combining certified seed with varying levels of mulch and fungicide applications, she found that treating the Electra cultivar with fungicide delayed the onset of late blight and improved water efficiency, offering practical solutions for smallholder producers.

Nosipho conducted her research trials within small-scale farming communities, working alongside producers to identify cultivars and management practices suited for their specific environments. She explained that during planting, she always meets with the producers to discuss which cultivars are best and what management practices should be implemented. After the harvest, she collects only samples and leaves the produce with them.

Empowered by opportunity

Nosipho first learned about the Potatoes SA bursary at a career exhibition hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2019. The opportunity immediately caught her attention, as it aligned perfectly with her passion for crop improvement and research interests.

She received the bursary in 2022, which supported her through the remainder of her PhD studies, relieving the financial pressures often associated with postgraduate studies and allowing her to focus fully on her research. Through Potatoes SA, Nosipho gained access to a network of researchers and industry experts.

Events such as Potatoes SA’s Research and Innovation Symposium and Transformation Symposium exposed her to the latest developments in the sector and helped strengthen her professional connections.

She describes the bursary experience as empowering, inspiring, and transformative. It boosted her confidence, sharpened her research and communication skills, and offered mentorship opportunities that continue to influence her career.

Nosipho also believes the programme could be further enhanced by providing additional funding for postgraduate students to attend conferences. “Attending conferences boosts students’ output and provides a platform to share their work,” she noted.

Farming the future

With her PhD completed and her postdoctoral research underway, Nosipho is committed to continuing her work in agricultural research, particularly the potato industry. Her goal is to enhance productivity and sustainability in smallholder farming systems by developing practical, climate-smart, and disease-resilient solutions. – Rotondwa Raligidima, procurement & bursary administrator, Potatoes SA

For more information about the bursary programme, send an email to Rendani Murovhi at rendani@potatoes.co.za, or visit www.potatoes.co.za/potatoes-sa-bursary-applications-2026/ to apply online.