IITA–CGIAR in Mozambique, in partnership with Aflalivre and Associação Moçambicana de Promoção do Cooperativismo Moderno (AMPCM), held a workshop recently to present and promote Aflasafe use in Mozambique, bringing together stakeholders from the Government of Mozambique, Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock, Trade and Health, the private sector, United Nations (UN), development partners, input distributors, and farmer cooperatives.
The event was anchored by an extensive presentation on the findings of multiple scientific studies on the prevalence of aflatoxin in maize and groundnuts produced in Mozambique. The presentation also highlighted the associated health risks and trade opportunities lost due to non-compliance with export market quality requirements, particularly in relation to aflatoxin levels. With Aflasafe commercially available in Mozambique, manufactured and distributed by Aflalivre, a solution is now available. The workshop aimed to inform and rally stakeholders to support Aflalivre’s scaling ambition of reaching 1.3 million smallholders who use Aflasafe as a central part of their integrated Aflatoxin management strategy by 2030. Reflecting on the scaling pathway for Aflasafe, workshop participants helped identify the main challenges to achieving the desired goal.
They suggested respective practical solutions, as well as shared responsibilities among stakeholders, for implementing the solutions over a one-year period.
“One of the purposes of the workshop is to identify the main limitations to the adoption and use of Aflasafe. The partners shared their perspectives, discussed different experiences, and, in doing so, gathered information about what works and what does not work in the context of Mozambique. At the end of the 1.5 days of vibrant engagement with stakeholders, guided by the CGIAR’s Innovation Packaging and Scaling Readiness approach, we ended up designing a work plan that will guide Aflalivre on areas it should focus on to stimulate and expand the use of Aflasafe,” explained Jane Kamau, Scaling and Agribusiness Specialist, Aflasafe unit at IITA-CGIAR.
Among the scaling barriers identified, the following stand out; lack of awareness and knowledge about the impact of aflatoxin; awareness about the solution and benefits of using Aflasafe among farmers to prevent aflatoxin contamination; reduced financial capacity of producers to acquire the product, lack of awareness and use of complimentary post-harvest management mechanisms, weak coordination between the government and other institutions, and the absence of favourable policies.
Actively, participants proposed solutions that include designing a communication strategy for Aflasafe, establishment of a certification process for aflatoxin-free end products to increase people’s confidence in consuming groundnut, maize, etc., and unlocking the lucrative export market for aflatoxin-free products, expanding Aflasafe use to other crops especially maize and sorghum; and strengthening of the Aflatoxin testing system to encourage compliance and provide vital evidence for further research and action.
Among the institutions present at the workshop, those of the government stand out, which not only have greater flexibility in approving measures but also in influencing the central government to massively implement and promote the use of Aflasafe.
“We are already committed as a sector and will continue working with partners, IITA-CGIAR, and Aflalivre. We believe that the proposal to form a Committee for Aflatoxin Management will be beneficial, and we plan to initiate the formation of working groups. We welcome the innovation and have a responsibility to disseminate it among the farmers,” highlighted Odete Naftal from the National Directorate of Animal Health and Biosecurity.
The two-day workshop also included a visit to the Aflasafe manufacturing plant in Nampula, managed by Aflalivre S.A. Moçambique, for a better understanding of the product and the production capabilities.
Contributed by
Related news