Prevention and control of aflatoxin and associated losses during postharvest handling of agricultural commodities in the EAC

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Prevention_and_control_of_aflatoxin_and_associated_losses_during_postharvest_handling_of_agricultural_commodities_in_the_EAC_2018 (708.35 KB)
Date
2018-04
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Publisher
East African Community
Abstract
Aflatoxins are a set of poisonous substances produced by fungi (molds) that can potentially cause cancer and contribute to stunting and immunosuppression in vulnerable groups. Aflatoxin contamination occurs in major staple crops in East Africa, such as maize, rice and sorghum. Poor postharvest handling enhances the contamination of the susceptible crops with aflatoxins. Factors such as insect infestation, high moisture causes Post-harvest losses, these further allow the proliferation of aflatoxin producing fungus to grow in susceptible crops and produces aflatoxin. Accumulation of aflatoxins in these crops further increases both quantitative and qualitative losses. High aflatoxin contamination exceeding by far the maximum permissible level of 10 ppb have been reported in maize and ground nuts for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. This can potentially cause rejection of contaminated products in domestic and international markets. For example, in Kenya, 13,922 Metric Tonnes of maize were rejected by the regulatory authority in 2014 due to high levels of aflatoxin contamination. Majority of people in East Africa are not aware of aflatoxin problems and its control strategies. For example, in 2012 only 35 % of interviewed farmers in Kongwa district of Tanzania were found to be aware of aflatoxin problems and control strategies. The main cause of the above problems is limited research on technologies that prevent and control aflatoxin contamination and inadequate application of available technologies due to insufficient capacity along the value chain.
Description
EAC Policy Brief on Aflatoxin Prevention and Control
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Citation
East African Community. (2018). Prevention and control of aflatoxin and associated losses during postharvest handling of agricultural commodities in the EAC. East African Community
URI
https://doi.org/10.60682/vk12-jd15
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Aflatoxin Prevention and Control