The TPCP programme begun based on a very small team of researchers at the University of the Free State and focused on a single threatening Eucalyptus disease problem. The programme has since grown to become highly recognised internationally as the single strongest programme dealing with pest and pathogen problems in plantation forestry in the world. The TPCP has also brought huge energy to agricultural research and education in the biological sciences in South Africa. For example, it formed the foundation for the establishment of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI; www.fabinet.up.ac.za) at the University of Pretoria, which in just 13 years has become a flagship research centre promoting many aspects of plant improvement in South Africa. (read more)

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