Stellenbosch, South Africa, 01 October 2026: Omnia has officially opened a new analytical services facility in Stellenbosch, strengthening scientific support for South African producers through rapid, accurate and efficient analysis of soil, plant tissue, sap, water and biological samples.
Strategically located in one of South Africa's most significant agricultural regions, the facility will provide producers with faster turnaround times and easier access to scientific insights that support timely, informed production decisions.
As an integral component of Omnia’s offering, this initiative enables producers to identify nutrient deficiencies, monitor soil health, detect changes in the soil microbiome, optimise fertilizer programmes and make evidence-based management decisions that improve crop performance and increase return on investment for producers.
This makes an expansion of Omnia’s analytical services footprint into the Western Cape, leveraging decades of experience and proprietary technology development. The facility complements Omnia’s established analytical services operation in Sasolburg, which houses the company’s flagship laboratory and one of the continent’s most extensive facilities for soil, plant tissue, water and sap testing. There’s also an operation in Zambia that is focussed on soil health through long-term investments in analytical technologies and methodologies, Omnia has over the years enhanced laboratory performance, improved turnaround times, accuracy and operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability for its customers.
A key component of Omnia’s technology development is an adaption of analytical technology for agricultural use through proprietary algorithms and calibrations. The technology enables comprehensive soil and plant tissue analysis in just 47 seconds, reducing overall laboratory turnaround times to approximately two days. By combining advanced spectroscopy and extensive calibration datasets, Omnia provides rapid, reliable insights. In addition to improving speed and efficiency, the technology eliminates the need for chemical reagents and minimises environmental impacts associated with conventional analytical processes.
A key component of Omnia’s technology development is an adaption of analytical technology for agricultural use through proprietary algorithms and calibrations. The technology enables comprehensive soil and plant tissue analysis in just 47 seconds, reducing overall laboratory turnaround times to approximately two days. By combining advanced spectroscopy and extensive calibration datasets, Omnia provides rapid, reliable insights. In addition to improving speed and efficiency, the technology eliminates the need for chemical reagents and minimises environmental impacts associated with conventional analytical processes.
In addition, Omnia has partnered with Stellenbosch University to integrate advanced soil DNA analysis into its analytical services offering, further strengthening the organisation’s biological analysis capabilities and technical expertise.
Francois Visagie, Chief Operating Officer: Manufacturing, Operations and Supply Chain at Omnia says, “By locating this facility in Stellenbosch, we are bringing world-class analytical capability closer to one of South Africa's most important agricultural regions, enabling producers to access faster scientific insights that support better on-farm decisions. Agriculture is becoming increasingly data-driven, and access to accurate, timely information is essential for improving productivity, profitability and sustainability. This is the cornerstone of modern farming practices”.
The investment reflects Omnia's continued focus on helping producers navigate increasingly complex production conditions through precision nutrition, biological solutions and science-based decision-making. It also aligns with Omnia’s focus on high-value agricultural solutions that support more efficient and sustainable production.
The facility forms part of Omnia's ongoing investment in scientific innovation and integrated crop nutrition strategies that assist producers in addressing challenges such as extreme weather conditions, soil health management and rising input costs.
“Reliable scientific analysis is becoming a critical part of modern agriculture,” Stephan Serfontein, Executive Director for Omnia concludes. "This facility strengthens our ability to partner with producers by providing the scientific insights needed to make confident, evidence-based decisions. By combining analytical expertise with precision nutrition and biological solutions, Omnia is helping producers improve productivity today while building resilience for the future."