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From observing life on her family’s sugarcane farm to conducting research in plant pathology, Potatoes SA bursary recipient Caroline Mhlaba is building a career dedicated to protecting crop health and advancing sustainable agriculture. For Caroline, agriculture is more than a career choice; it is part of who she is.
Growing up on the family farm in Mpumalanga exposed her to the realities of farming from an early age. Watching her father manage day-to-day operations gave her firsthand insight into the dedication required to produce healthy crops and the challenges producers face in an ever-changing agricultural environment. “I spent a lot of time observing crop production and learning about the factors that influence plant health,” she recalls. “I became fascinated by how diseases, pests, and environmental conditions could affect productivity and ultimately impact producers’ livelihoods.”
Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for agriculture and sparked a curiosity that would eventually lead her to plant pathology.
A growing passion for plant health
Caroline’s academic journey took her to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she pursued a Master of Science (MSc) in Plant Pathology. During her postgraduate studies, she developed a strong interest in plant disease management and sustainable crop protection strategies. Her passion for research was strengthened by the Potatoes SA bursary programme, which she received from 2021 to 2023. The bursary enabled her to fully focus on her studies and research by removing financial barriers and creating opportunities for both academic and professional growth.
Beyond financial support, the bursary represented an investment in her potential as a young agricultural scientist and reinforced her commitment to contributing to South Africa’s agricultural sector.
As part of her MSc studies, Caroline investigated sustainable approaches to managing bacterial soft rot in potatoes, a disease caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum that can result in major losses during storage and transportation. Her research explored the use of biological control agents, particularly Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, combined with lemongrass essential oil as an environmentally friendly disease management strategy.
The study produced promising results, demonstrating that certain combinations of beneficial bacteria and low concentrations of lemongrass essential oil effectively suppressed the pathogen responsible for soft rot. The findings highlighted the potential of integrating biological control methods into potato storage systems to reduce losses while supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
The project reinforced her interest in developing innovative, environmentally responsible solutions to help producers manage plant diseases and improve crop productivity and food security.
Planting the seeds of success
Throughout her postgraduate studies, Caroline gained valuable expertise in plant disease diagnostics, pathogen isolation and identification, microbial culturing, biological control research, microscopy, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication. These technical skills were complemented by the development of critical-thinking, problem-solving, and project management abilities that continue to shape her professional growth.
Successfully completing her MSc in Plant Pathology remains one of her proudest achievements. Beyond earning the qualification, the experience strengthened her commitment to a career focussed on plant health, crop protection, and sustainable agriculture.
Now actively seeking opportunities within plant pathology, crop protection, agricultural research, and plant disease diagnostics, Caroline is eager to apply her knowledge and skills in a professional environment where she can contribute to meaningful agricultural solutions. She also hopes to continue her academic journey through doctoral studies and further research focussed on sustainable disease management and crop health.
Over the next decade, she envisions herself working alongside researchers, industry leaders, and producers to develop innovative approaches that strengthen agricultural productivity, improve food security, and support the long-term sustainability of South African agriculture.
Caroline remains grateful for the support she received from Potatoes SA. “The bursary had a significant impact on my academic and professional development. It gave me the opportunity to pursue my goals and develop the skills needed to contribute to the agricultural sector.”
Rooted in agriculture and driven by discovery, Caroline represents the next generation of agricultural scientists committed to building a more resilient, productive, and sustainable future for South Africa. – Rotondwa Raligidima, Potatoes SA
Send an email to rotondwa@potatoes.co.za for more information.