The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Malawi is partnering with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to prevent and control aflatoxin contamination along the groundnut value chain to safeguard public health and boost farmer and export income.
The project will mitigate carcinogenic aflatoxins – the toxic substances produced by fungi – from contaminating groundnuts resulting in threats to public health and lost income for farmers caused by export rejection.
Director General of ICRISAT Dr Jacqueline Hughes said that through extensive scientific research, ICRISAT has successfully reduced aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts, leading to higher quality crops that contribute to not only improved nutrition and health but also increased income for smallholder farmers.
“The valuable insights we have gained to date can be effectively applied towards this project for greater impact in Malawi and beyond, and I am delighted to acknowledge the continuous collaboration between GIZ and ICRISAT.
“I am confident that our combined efforts will help to significantly improve the quality of life for both groundnut producers and consumers,” said Dr Hughes.