About Us
Regenerative Agriculture, Rooted in Real Farming Experience
Building Healthy Soils Since 2005
EcoSoil was born out of lived farming experience and a deep respect for the intelligence of natural systems. We support farmers in restoring soil function, building resilient ecosystems, and farming in a way that is both profitable and regenerative.
Our Story
EcoSoil was founded by Jako Pieterse following a pivotal shift in understanding soil health while managing a conventional fruit farm in the late 1990s.
Despite using the best available technology and strictly following conventional farming practices, the system began to deteriorate. Pest and disease pressure increased, soil compaction worsened, water infiltration declined, and fertilizer inputs rose. All signs of a system losing function.
A turning point came in 2000 at a farming study group focused on organic agriculture. Learning about microbial diversity and root exudates revealed the root cause of the downward spiral: the loss of soil biology.
What followed was a practical journey of restoring soil life through Compost Tea, biological inputs, reduced disturbance, and feeding soil organisms with crop residues and plant diversity. Results took time, but they were profound. Pests became manageable, soil compaction disappeared, nitrogen inputs dropped by 70%, and crop performance improved beyond previous levels.
By 2005, it became clear this work needed to be done full-time. EcoSoil was established to help other farmers avoid the same downward spiral and restore their soils more efficiently.
Why EcoSoil?
Farming With Nature, Not Against It
Our approach is grounded in real farming experience, not theory alone.
Experience You Can Trust
We focus on restoring system function rather than treating symptoms.
Systems Thinking
Healthy soils, resilient plants, and productive ecosystems start with life in the soil.
Biology First
Our products and programmes are researched, tested, and continuously refined.
Proven, Practical Solutions
Our Purpose
EcoSoil provides farmers with eco-friendly technologies, products, and services that enable more profitable, resilient, and regenerative farming systems.
We do this by:
Rehabilitating degraded soils
Replacing purely chemical inputs with biological alternatives
Improving system balance and efficiency
Transferring knowledge to empower informed decision-making
Our products are transformative in nature, converting marginal soils into productive, life-sustaining systems and supporting carbon sequestration with positive implications for climate resilience.
How We Roll
We work co-creatively with nature, recognising that healthy ecosystems function through balance, diversity, and intelligent biological processes.
Our team approaches soil, plants, people, and production with respect and responsibility. The energy of our raw materials, the intent of our people, the integrity of our processes, and our commitment to quality all influence the effectiveness of our products.
By aligning with natural rhythms and biological intelligence, we help farmers achieve lasting results with fewer inputs and greater resilience.
Our Company
Since our humble beginnings in 2005, EcoSoil has helped numerous farmers transition toward regenerative practices. We continue to evolve, adopting new strategies and products informed by research, field trials, and farmer feedback.
EcoSoil is based in Grabouw, Western Cape, with distribution across South Africa and selected SADC countries.
We acknowledge and thank the scientists and practitioners whose work has informed and inspired our journey, including Dr. Elaine Ingham, Dr. Christine Jones, and Graeme Sait, and remain committed to sharing soil health knowledge as widely as possible.
Our Expert Soil Solutions
"Regenerative agriculture is not possible without actively forming topsoil and new topsoil cannot form unless there are high levels of biological activity. Once we recognise the significance of this relationship, and focus on its achievement, agriculture becomes less complicated and far more rewarding."
Our Team
Working in Harmony with Nature
Our team combines practical farming insight, scientific understanding, and a shared commitment to regenerative agriculture. Together, we support farmers with honesty, integrity, and solutions that work with nature rather than against it.
EcoSoil provides regenerative agriculture products, programmes, and services that focus on restoring soil function, improving plant health, and increasing farm profitability. Our approach works with natural biological processes to build resilient, self-regulating agricultural systems.
Yes. Many of our clients start from conventional systems. EcoSoil programmes are designed to support a transition toward regenerative and organic practices while maintaining production, managing risk, and improving system efficiency over time.
Most of our products are certified according to European, American, and Japanese organic standards. Product-specific certifications are clearly indicated, and we are happy to advise on compliance for organic or transitioning systems.
Our products and programmes can be used on a wide range of crops, including fruit, grapes, vegetables, grains, pasture, and orchards. Both irrigated and dryland systems. We tailor recommendations to crop type, soil condition, and production goals.
Yes. EcoSoil specialises in crop-specific and site-specific programmes. We work with farmers to assess soil function, plant health, and management practices in order to design solutions that deliver the greatest return on investment.
Compost Tea is a liquid biological input containing a diverse community of beneficial micro-organisms. It helps restore soil life, improve nutrient cycling, suppress disease, and support plant resilience. It is a foundational tool in regenerative farming systems.
Yes. By improving soil biology and nutrient cycling, many farmers experience a significant reduction in synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and fungicides over time, without sacrificing yield or quality.
Some improvements, such as soil structure and plant resilience, can be seen within a season. Full system restoration takes time, but meaningful gains are typically observed within the first 1–3 years, depending on starting conditions and management.
Yes. EcoSoil offers services such as Compost Tea as a Service, EcoDelta as a Service, and system support in selected regions. These services help farmers implement regenerative practices without needing to manage all inputs themselves.
EcoSoil is based in Grabouw, Western Cape, and distributes products nationally, with services available in selected regions and SADC countries. Contact us to confirm availability in your area.
You can get started by contacting us directly to discuss your farm, crop, or production challenges. Our team will guide you toward the most appropriate products, programmes, or services for your system.
FAQs
Got Questions? We’re Here to Help
We understand that regenerative agriculture, soil biology, and biological inputs can raise important questions. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about our products, programmes, Compost Tea systems, and how we work with farmers to build healthy, resilient agricultural systems.
Contact
Supporting Regenerative Agriculture Across the Western Cape
Whether you’re based in the Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa or anywhere in the SADC regions, our team is ready to support you with regenerative products, programmes, and biological solutions tailored to your farming system. Get in touch to discuss crop-specific needs, on-farm services, or product guidance.