IITA, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) have organized awareness, information, and training workshops for stakeholders as part of efforts to minimize aflatoxin contamination. A suite of management practices was used including aflasafeTM, a novel biocontrol technology for reducing aflatoxin contamination in crops. The workshops were held in three cities in Northern Ghana: Tamale (1 August), Bolgatanga (4 August), and Wa (6 August).
Maize and groundnut farmers, agricultural exxtension agents (AEAs), and MOFA District Directors of Agriculture were present at the workshops. The aim was to raise awareness about contamination in maize and groundnut, collaborate with MOFA at the district level in the implementation of biocontrol activities, and train AEAs and farmers on the mode of applying aflasafeTM.
Maize and groundnut are the most important crops in the region, and are also the most susceptible to aflatoxin contamination.“Data from surveillance studies from 1964 to 2013 show that this contamination in maize and groundnut is a perennial problem, affecting both health and trade in Ghana,” said Daniel Agbetiameh, a PhD student conducting research in Ghana.
Over the years, farmers in Northern Ghana have used indigenous knowledge to describe and note the conditions promoting mold growth–Yuwa or Nangom–on these two crops. They, however, had limited knowledge or awareness about these molds as expressions of aflatoxin contamination. Mrs Hawa Musah, Director for the Tolon District Agricultural Development Unit, lamented that this could have been the cause of the prevalence of food poisoning and liver complications among the people in some parts of Northern and Upper East regions.
Dr Joseph Atehnkeng, IITA’s West Africa Coordinator for the aflasafeTM project, said that insect control and the application of aflasafeTM had been proven to combat contamination at the preharvest stages. “At postharvest we promote practices such as timely harvest, rapid drying of produce, sorting before processing, maintenance of good storage structures and environment, insect control during storage, and maintenance of good hygiene and sanitation,” Dr Atehnkeng said.
Participants were actively involved in the discussions and questions. Feedback obtained during an open forum indicated that participants’ knowledge had been significantly improved. Awareness materials were also distributed, including flyers on aflasafeTM and instructions on how to use it, a factsheet on aflatoxin, and mycotoxin research at IITA.
Funds from Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) and Meridian Institute supported these events.
For more details, please contact: Andrea Gros, a.gros@cgiar.org
About IITA www.iita.org
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Its award-winning research for development (R4D) approach addresses the development needs of tropical countries. IITA works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is a non-profit organization founded in 1967 in Nigeria and governed by a Board of Trustees. IITA works on the following crops: cowpea, soybean, banana/plantain, yam, cassava, and maize. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.
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