CSIR ADVANCED AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
Technologies for food safety
Mycotoxin test kits to detect food contamination
The CSIR is developing mycotoxin test kits to detect the presence of mycotoxins, thereby ensuring the safety of food. The presence of mycotoxins in food can cause disorders that affect the brain and nerves in the human body. Thus, suspect food is inspected, and mycotoxin levels are determined using agreed national standards. Food testing laboratories, chemical companies and the National Metrological Institute of South Africa will benefit from the innovation of mycotoxin standards and test kits, as they need high-quality mycotoxin standards that can be used for the accurate measurement of mycotoxins in food products. The innovation will help ensure safe production and processing practices.
Technologies for smart agriculture
A precision agriculture information system for improved production
The CSIR has developed a precision agriculture information system that provides farm-scale information on soil and crop conditions on a weekly basis. The system responds to crop-specific needs across different agro-ecological regions in South Africa. It will contribute to the use of fourth industrial revolution technologies by small and emerging farmers, increased food production and efficiency of production, and will help foster the implementation of government’s agricultural policies.