R14m investment strengthens SA’s livestock disease surveillance

A R14 million investment by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the department of science, technology and innovation (DSTI), is supporting the development of its Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance Programme.

This programme boosts South Africa’s capacity to identify and address livestock diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and avian influenza (bird flu), which impact the country’s agricultural sector and commodity exports.

Tackling diseases that threaten trade

TokaBio focuses on issues such as avian influenza affecting the ostrich industry and operates a mobile laboratory in Modimolle, Limpopo. It also has a laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal that focuses on FMD.

The chief executive officer of the TIA, Dr Titus Mathe, highlighted the cause of the decline in South Africa’s agricultural sector and issues around its exports to international markets.

“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 keeping our edge in global trade depends heavily on accelerating innovation.

“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 keeping the competitiveness of South African agricultural products in global markets,” he said.

Livestock plays 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 disrupt production, restrict animal movement, and cause temporary or prolonged restrictions on livestock and animal-derived exports.

Faster, targeted disease surveillance

The Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance Programme aims to address this challenge by enhancing the nation’s capacity to perform swift, precise, and geographically targeted disease surveillance.

The programme aims to protect beef trade by improving FMD surveillance in affected areas. It also supports frameworks like compartmentalisation to keep trade moving safely.

For the ostrich industry, TokaBio has already begun implementing an avian influenza bio-surveillance programme, establishing a potential template for broader livestock disease surveillance and rapid-response services.

Loyiso Tyira, chairperson of the TIA board, said, “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.

“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,” he said.

Protecting farmers and export markets

Meanwhile, Dr Phiyani Lebea, chief scientific officer at TokaBio, said that the sustainability of commercial farming, rural economies, and the broader agricultural value chain is significant because it depends on the country’s access to international export markets.

He also mentioned what this programme will do and how it aims to control disease outbreaks and ensure that the industries involved do not lose access to markets.

“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,” he said.