University of Pretoria: Government to launch National Biosecurity Hub in collaboration with UP as part of implementing the Bio-economy Strategy

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, and the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thokozile Didiza, will launch the National Biosecurity Hub in collaboration with the University of Pretoria on 11 October 2022.

The hub, an initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation’s Agricultural Bioeconomy Innovation Partnership Programme, will facilitate collaborative efforts in the national system of innovation to support the prevention, reduction and management of crop and animal disease and other matters related to food safety in South Africa, will be coordinated by Innovation Africa at the University of Pretoria.

Comprising industry, academia, science councils and government role players, the hub will contribute to sustainable agricultural production and the safe trade of agricultural products, services and processes.

The Agricultural Bioeconomy Innovation Partnership Programme is currently managed through the Department of Science and Innovation’s entity, the Technology Innovation Agency. The programme is responsible for the funding, co-funding, coordination, facilitation and management of multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research programmes, focusing on agricultural bioinnovation, products, processes and services. The aim is to contribute to increased productivity, food security and sustainable rural development.