Kiwifruit have been grown in South Africa for a few decades with many new varieties introduced over the years to realise the potential of this niche industry. As the industry grows, so too does the occurrence of pests and pathogens that threaten kiwifruit vine health. The Kiwifruit Protection Programme (KPP) was established in February 2023 as a collaborative initiative between the South African Kiwi Growers Association and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI). This programme, under the primary leadership of Prof. Irene Barnes, aims to support local kiwifruit farmers by conducting research on pests and diseases of kiwifruit and providing an extension and disease/pest diagnostic service to the farmers.