South Africa’s thriving bioeconomy has the potential to make the country more competitive internationally, particularly in the industrial and agriculture sectors, create more sustainable jobs, enhance food security, and boost a greener economy as the country shifts towards a low-carbon economy.

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, is the implementing agent for a bioeconomy strategy.

The agricultural technology focus areas for the TIA include breeding and productive technologies in livestock and field crops, animal and plant health and nutrition technologies, as well as agro-processing and post-harvest technologies.

Agro-processing

The labour-intensive nature of agro-processing makes it a strategic industry with the potential to absorb low-skilled labour and, in the process, contribute to building an inclusive economy.

Agro-processing also promotes the growth of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), which can contribute to economic transformation by promoting broader participation in the economy. The TIA places value on strategic partnerships and collaborations with various organisations in the private and public sectors.

Technology cluster

An example of a technology cluster that is making an impact is the Eastern Cape Agro-Industry Innovation Cluster Project (ECAIICP), an initiative led by the TIA, the East London Industrial Zone, and the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT).

The ECAIICP is aimed at exploiting a high concentration of research and development, skills infrastructure, and companies across the province within the agro-processing industry.

In this partnership, the TIA provides seed funding for new agro-processing technologies to agricultural SMMEs, the DEDEAT provides infrastructure and expansion capital, and industry and retail partners provide access to supplier development programmes for market uptake.

Several agricultural SMMEs have received funding and technical support at the East London Industrial Development Zone, some of whom have commercialised their products.

Zonzaba’s tonic

Zonzaba developed a product for infant colic using plant extracts. The tonic is aimed at newborn babies and children struggling with colic, flatulence, stomach spasms, and cramps.

Innovative Bold Concepts’ juice

Innovative Bold Concepts was funded through the ECAIICP to develop a wheatgrass juice branded PearlB.

The project included the establishment of an aeroponics growing facility to increase the production of wheatgrass and a plant to produce the juice.

The product is now available at selected supermarkets in the East London area.

T&N’s tomato jam

Low-GI and sugar-free tomato jam became a reality for Eastern Cape-based SMME T&N when it was supported to establish a nursery and processing plant.

The company has, to date, developed three variants of sugar-free tomato jam: plain, tomato and ginger, and tomato and chilli; and is looking to expand its offering to include paste, juice, sauce, and purée.

The TIA will continue to foster partnerships to expand such initiatives to other provinces, thus ensuring that technological innovation contributes to the enhancement of the lives of South Africans.

Visit tia.org.za.