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IITA, EAGC journey towards producing aflatoxin-free grains to ensure health safety, boost trade

Aug 27, 2020Aug 27, 2020 Editor

EASTERN AFRICA – The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) have signed an agreement to work together to tackle aflatoxin contamination of grains in the region. IITA is a not-for-profit research institution that generates innovations to address major agricultural challenges in Africa, while EAGC is a membership organization that brings together key players across the grain value chain in Eastern and Southern Africa. The MoU will leverage each organization’s comparative advantage to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of advocacy, research, capacity…

EAC seeks funding from US for establishment of aflatoxin legal frame work

Mar 14, 2020Mar 14, 2020 Editor

EAST AFRICA – The East African Community (EAC) is seeking Sh20 million (US$194,000) financing from US government to facilitate the crafting of a legal framework to guide the fight against cancer-causing toxins threatening the region’s food security. According to a report by Business Daily, the legal framework — EAC Aflatoxin Bill — which has been submitted to USAid for review is intended to guide the six-member bloc in combating aflatoxin. It is estimated that Kenyan farmers lose up to 30 percent of their produce to aflatoxin attack. Fahari Marwa, principal…

Kenyan government rolls out anti-aflatoxin farm input country wide

Jan 16, 2020Jan 16, 2020 Clement M.

KENYA – The government of Kenya has contracted a biological crop protection company, Koppert Biological Systems to distribute Aflasafe, a natural product that fights aflatoxin, to all farmers in the country. This follows the recent occurrence of cases of the prevalence of Aflatoxin in food stuffs in the Kenyan market such as Maize meal, milk and peanut butters which has led to some of the brands recalled. Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Prof. Hamadi Boga said that Aflasafe, a new technology developed a few years back to fight Aflatoxin in maize,…

Ghana partners with Mexican government in technology to combat aflatoxin

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Editor

GHANA – The Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) is partnering with the Mexican Government to introduce the Nixtamalisation technology in Ghana that aims at combating aflatoxin contamination in maize. The technology, which has been successfully utilised in Mexico in processing of white corn, has the potential of reducing food safety and security concerns emanating from aftlatoxin contamination, reports Ghana News Agency. Specifically, the technology seeks to address public health and food security challenges associated with the consumption of corn contaminated with aflatoxins and improving economic growth. Mr Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, the…

Tanzanian firm to invest US$ 1.52m in developing tech to curb aflatoxin

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 Editor

TANZANIA – Tanzania’s A to Z Textile Mills has unveiled plans of investing US$1.52million (Tsh 3.5bn) in establishing a factory that will be producing Aflasafe, a technology to combat aflatoxin in grains and cereals. This follows an agreement between A to Z and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in conducting research on aflatoxin that saw successful development of the product. Mr Kalpesh Shah, chief executive of A to Z Textile Mills, said the firm was particularly proud of being part of a committed team that had researched for…

Tanzania launches US$34.11m project to combat aflatoxin and address food safety

Mar 15, 2019Mar 15, 2019 Editor

TANZANIA – Tanzania has launched a new project through an investment worth US$34.11 million (TShs80 billion) that seeks to control Aflatoxin, reports Daily News. Speaking during the launch of the project dubbed as ‘Tanzania Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination’ (TANIPAC), Agriculture Minister, Mr Japhet Hasunga, noted that the five-year project would also address food safety challenges. “The main goal of the project is to improve food safety in order to attain food and nutrition security, hence to improve the health of the community as well as agricultural productivity,” he said.…

Tanzania, IITA unveils new tech to combat aflatoxin

Feb 2, 2019Feb 2, 2019 Editor

TANZANIA – Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with The U.S. government in partnership and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), have unveiled AflasafeTZ, a technology to reduce aflatoxin contamination in human food and animal feed reports Daily News. In a statement issued by the US Embassy in Tanzania, the product will help reduce human and livestock health risks and avoid the negative impact of aflatoxins on trade and incomes of smallholder farmers. The development of the product was also supported by the United States Agency for International Development…

USAID supports Tanzania to develop new technology to fight aflatoxin

Sep 4, 2018 Editor

TANZANIA – Tanzania, with the support from the United States Agency for International Development has developed a new technology that reduces aflatoxin contamination in food by 80-90%. The technology known as Aflasafe TZ helps to reduce contamination of the poisonous chemical in both food and animal feed thus, rendering them safe for human consumption. Developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, it can also help the country meet high standards for export, boosting international trade. Commercialization of the project will be…

East Africa to develop policy on aflatoxin to boost food security and safety

Aug 23, 2018 Editor

KENYA – The East African Community member (EAC) states have agreed on plans to develop a policy framework to address the human and animal health threat of aflatoxin contamination and boost food security, a NewTimes report has revealed. The economic bloc aims to address food nutrition, security and safety issues in regard to animal, human and plant health. According to Christophe Bazivamo, Deputy Secretary General of the EAC, aflatoxins from fungi are widespread in the region and cause contamination of staple foods such as maize milk and groundnuts in the…

Kenyan tea sales to Pakistan declines following stringent rules on aflatoxin

Mar 8, 2018Mar 8, 2018 Editor

KENYA – Kenya’s tea exports to top buyer Pakistan dropped by half or US$36.55 million loss in sales compared to the same period last year after the top market instituted a requirement for rigorous testing for aflatoxin. The Tea Directorate attributed declined sales to strict rules used in aflatoxin tests following a disagreement between Kenya and Pakistan over suspected aflatoxin in local tea. The uncertainties put the tea sector in a dilemma after buyers became reluctant to purchase the product, together with delayed tea consignments meant to be exported to…