The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) has invested R14m in TokaBio to strengthen South Africa’s capacity to detect and respond to livestock diseases that threaten agricultural production and commodity exports.
The investment supports TokaBio’s Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance Programme, which focuses on diseases including Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza.
TokaBio has established a 4IR-driven mobile laboratory in Modimolle, Limpopo, focused on Avian Influenza surveillance in the ostrich industry. The company also has a laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal supporting nationwide Foot-and-Mouth Disease surveillance.
Protecting livestock exports
Livestock products play a significant role in South Africa’s economy, contributing to employment, food security, rural livelihoods and economic activity throughout the agricultural value chain.
However, livestock disease outbreaks can have consequences extending well beyond individual farms. They can disrupt production, restrict animal movement and result in temporary or prolonged restrictions on exports of livestock and animal-derived commodities.
“South Africa’s economy cannot sustain the repeated loss of foreign markets from the recurring disruptions caused by livestock disease outbreaks. Securing our nation’s agricultural sector, preserving jobs, and maintaining our edge in global trade depends heavily on accelerating innovation, “said Dr Titus Mathe, CEO of TIA.
The Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance Programme aims to strengthen the country’s ability to conduct swift, precise and geographically targeted disease surveillance.
The programme aims to protect beef trade by improving Foot-and-Mouth Disease surveillance in affected areas. It also supports frameworks such as compartmentalisation to keep trade moving while managing disease risks.
For the ostrich industry, TokaBio has already begun implementing an Avian Influenza bio-surveillance programme, establishing a potential model for broader livestock disease surveillance and rapid-response services.
From research to deployment
“TIA’s investment in TokaBio exemplifies how government funding for technology can extend beyond research and development to enable practical solutions that can be implemented in real-world settings. Swift and precise livestock disease detection is essential to safeguarding farmers, enhancing biosecurity, and maintaining the competitiveness of South African agricultural products in global markets,” said Mathe.
“TIA’s investment in TokaBio forms part of our mandate to support the development, demonstration, and commercialisation of technology innovations that address national priorities,” said Loyiso Tyira, chairperson of the Board, TIA.
“As the implementing agency supporting the DSTI’s Bio-Economy Strategy, TIA invests in technologies that harness South Africa’s biological resources to address challenges in areas such as food security, agriculture, health and economic development,” said Tyira.
“The Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance Programme investment demonstrates how funding can help move biotechnology innovations from development towards commercial deployment and practical impact in the agricultural sector.”
Protecting market access
The global demand for meat and other livestock-derived commodities offers African countries an opportunity to expand their participation in international agricultural markets.
“Maintaining access to lucrative export markets is especially important to South Africa for the sustainability of commercial farming, rural economies, and the broader agricultural value chain,” said Dr Phiyani Lebea, Chief Scientific Officer at TokaBio.
“The Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance programme seeks to ensure that disease outbreaks do not automatically lead to prolonged loss of market access by strengthening the country’s ability to detect, contain, monitor, and demonstrate control of livestock diseases,” said Lebea.
TIA believes that the commercialisation and wider adoption of technologies such as TokaBio’s Molecular Rapid Response Programme can strengthen the agricultural sector’s resilience while supporting South Africa’s livestock trade.
