Photo Credit: IITA
Every day, unsafe food makes an average of close to two million people in the world sick, keeping them away from school and work. The World Bank estimates that illness, disability and premature deaths induced by unsafe food lead to productivity losses of about US$95 billion a year in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to undermining food and nutrition security, unsafe food also reduces international trade, as contaminated foods cannot be exported to the US or the EU. The African Union estimates that Malawi is annually losing K64 billion (US$88 million) in exports due to aflatoxin contaminated groundnuts and maize.
Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, are a major contaminant in cereals and groundnuts in Malawi. Aflatoxins are highly toxic and affect crops growing in the field, during post-harvest handling and storage. Aflatoxin is a major contributor to stunting and malnutrition, and also has been linked to certain cancers.
Malawi recently moved two steps forward addressing aflatoxin contamination. On April 10, USAID’s Feed the Future Malawi Improved Seed Systems and Technologies (MISST) project handed over the Aflatoxin Testing Laboratory at Chitedze Research Station to the Government of Malawi (GoM). Along with this handover the participants launched two Aflasafe biocontrol products, known as Aflasafe MW-MZ01 and Aflasafe MW02. If applied properly, the products can reduce aflatoxins during both crop production and post-harvest. Aflasafe uses four non-aflatoxin-producing strains of the fungus Aspergillus flavus to out-compete and displace aflatoxin-producing strains of Aspergillus flavus.
The MISST project funds the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Malawi’s Department of Agriculture Research Services (DARS) to develop Malawi-specific and biologically safe aflatoxin control products using the testing laboratory.
“The goal of IITA’s Aflasafe initiative”, stated Dr Nteranya Sanginga, Director General of IITA, “is to develop, promote, and commercialize a natural, biological control product in the groundnut and maize value chains to improve food safety and public health, increase trade, augment smallholder income, and enhance food security and food safety in the country."
The two Malawi-specific versions of Aflasafe have been successfully tested with Malawian farmers. Field trials over a course of three years have demonstrated that the Aflasafe products have successfully and safely reduced aflatoxin levels in both groundnuts and maize. In December 2018 the two Aflasafe products were cleared and released by the Malawi Agricultural Technical Clearing Committee (ATCC). As a next step the products need to be commercialized, so that farmers can buy and use them in their fields.
US Deputy Chief of Mission, Andrew Hirrup noted, “Malawi now has one of the best laboratories in the region with capacity to comprehensively test for aflatoxins in maize and groundnut. The next step is to register the new Aflasafe products, enter into partnership with the private sector, and create awareness about aflatoxins among farmers.”
Aflasafe however is only part of the solution. Good agricultural practices such as proper harvesting, better drying of crops, appropriate post-harvest management, and safe storage also contribute to reducing aflatoxin levels. With this package of interventions in place, Malawi will be equipped to begin producing maize and groundnuts that will both keep its people healthy and open up new and profitable export markets.
As Dr Alexander Bulirani, Controller of Agricultural Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, stated: “We need to make people understand that they are consuming highly contaminated maize and groundnut, which endangers their lives. We will also need to partner with the private sector so that they can make Aflasafe available for farmers.”
Click here to read the IITA news blog DG Sanginga graces handover of aflatoxin laboratory and launch of Aflasafe in Malawi.
Click here to read the press release of the U.S. Embassy in Malawi: U.S. and Malawi team up to reduce aflatoxins in maize and groundnut, April 10.
