Pre-empting aflatoxin contamination in legume and cereal farming systems in northern Nigeria: a case study of the groundnut value chain

Summary

The current emphasis by the government of Nigeria on boosting agricultural productivity requires actors within the agricultural sector to develop sustainable agro-allied technologies that could enhance the quality of crop-livestock products. Aflatoxin is reported to be a major challenge in many legume and cereal value chains, with potentially negative impacts on product marketing and the health of people and livestock. This study presents preliminary results of pre-emptive measures being undertaken by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and national partners on the management of aflatoxin contamination in the groundnut value chain in selected states of northern Nigeria. A combination of complementary approaches is being used to pre-empt aflatoxin contamination in the groundnut value chain. These include the organization of Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops, development of aptitudes in the detection of aflatoxin levels, demonstration of on-farm options for managing aflatoxin contamination, production of pedagogic materials to support awareness-raising campaigns, engagement of media outlets to sustain awareness on the challenges of aflatoxin contamination, and evaluation of aflatoxin-resistant groundnut genotypes. Above all, a total of 250 samples of groundnut and groundnut-based products have been collected from 16 of the 19 states in northern Nigeria to determine the prevalence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination. This paper presents progress on the outcomes of these interventions.

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