Forestry Molecular Genetics Programme
The Forestry Molecular Genetics Programme is a well- established industry-government venture focused on the genetic control of growth, wood formation and pest and disease resistance in South Africa’s forestry plantations. It aims to enhance tree growth and health while simultaneously improving properties for timber, pulp, paper, and biomaterials production. Since its inception, the FMGP has uniquely combined rapidly evolving genomic science and biotechnology with direct commercial applications.
The programme is a collaborative initiative between the University of Pretoria (UP) and various forest product companies. Specifically, this initiative was established as a research venture focused on the genetic control of growth, wood formation and pest and disease resistance in South Africa’s forestry plantations; with the aim of enhancing tree growth and health while simultaneously improving properties for timber, pulp, paper, and biomaterials production. This Programme makes up Programme 1 of the Forest Bio-economy Innovation Cluster (FBIC).
Biorefinery innovation, research and support has the potential to enhance sector growth through the development and commercialisation of new biological products from fibre, lignins, other lignocellulosic goods and oils from forests.
The supply of a new stream of bioproducts will develop and spread new and improved processes in traditional and novel segments of the forest-products industry, develop new supply chains, logistics and the nurturing of new markets. The Biorefinery Industry Development Facility, hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, is an example of state support directed at traditional pulp and paper products and biorefinery technologies. Programme 2 of the FBIC is made up of activities carried out at this facility.
