Funding supports molecular rapid-response technology aimed at improving disease detection, biosecurity and agricultural export resilience
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has invested R14 million in TokaBio to support the development of its Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance Programme.
The programme is designed to strengthen South Africa’s ability to detect, monitor and respond to livestock diseases, including Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Avian Influenza (AI). These diseases pose significant risks to the agricultural sector, food security and the country’s access to international markets for livestock and animal-derived products.
TokaBio has established a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)-enabled mobile laboratory in Modimolle, Limpopo, focused on Avian Influenza surveillance within the ostrich industry. The company also operates a laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal that has been commissioned to support nationwide Foot-and-Mouth Disease surveillance.
Key objectives of the TokaBio programme
Strengthen rapid detection of livestock diseases.
Improve geographically targeted disease surveillance.
Support faster responses to Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza outbreaks.
Strengthen agricultural biosecurity and disease-control measures.
Help protect South Africa’s livestock and animal-product export markets.
Support the commercialisation of biotechnology developed to address national agricultural priorities.
Improve the resilience of the livestock sector through technology-enabled disease management.
Protecting South Africa’s livestock economy and exports
Livestock production plays an important role in South Africa’s economy, contributing to employment, food security, rural livelihoods and economic activity across the agricultural value chain.
However, disease outbreaks can have consequences that extend far beyond individual farms. They can disrupt production, restrict animal movement and lead to temporary or extended restrictions on exports of livestock and animal-derived commodities.
The Molecular Rapid Response and Bio-surveillance Programme is intended to address these challenges by improving the country’s ability to conduct rapid, accurate and geographically targeted disease surveillance.
For the beef industry, the programme aims to strengthen Foot-and-Mouth Disease surveillance in affected areas and support approaches such as compartmentalisation, which can help maintain safe trade while disease-control measures are implemented.
In the ostrich sector, TokaBio has already begun implementing an Avian Influenza bio-surveillance programme. The initiative could provide a model for expanding rapid-response and disease-surveillance services across other livestock sectors.
From biotechnology research to commercial deployment
According to TIA, the investment forms part of its mandate to support the development, demonstration and commercialisation of technology innovations addressing South Africa’s national priorities.
“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 Loyiso Tyira, Chairperson of the TIA Board.
“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.”
The investment highlights the role that public-sector technology funding can play in moving biotechnology solutions beyond research and development and into operational agricultural applications.
Technology aimed at strengthening livestock disease management
TIA CEO Dr Titus Mathe said recurring livestock disease outbreaks can result in the repeated loss of foreign markets, creating wider economic consequences for South Africa.
“South Africa’s economy cannot sustain the repeated loss of foreign markets from the recurring disruptions caused by livestock disease outbreaks,” said Mathe. “Securing our nation’s agricultural sector, preserving jobs, and maintaining our edge in global trade depends heavily on accelerating innovation.”
He added that the investment demonstrates how government technology funding can support practical solutions capable of operating in real-world environments.
“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,” Mathe said.
Supporting South Africa’s position in global livestock markets
Growing global demand for meat and other livestock-derived products presents an opportunity for African countries to expand their participation in international agricultural markets.
For South Africa, maintaining access to these markets is particularly important for commercial farming, rural economies and businesses throughout the agricultural value chain.
Dr Phiyani Lebea, Chief Scientific Officer at TokaBio, said strengthening disease surveillance could help prevent outbreaks from automatically resulting in prolonged market closures.
“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.
The programme therefore combines biotechnology, molecular disease detection, mobile laboratory capability and bio-surveillance to support faster decision-making during livestock disease threats.
TIA believes that commercialising and expanding technologies such as TokaBio’s Molecular Rapid Response Programme could strengthen the resilience of South Africa’s agricultural sector while supporting the country’s ambitions to become a leader in biotechnology-driven livestock disease management on the African continent.