By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that stakeholders in the agricultural sector have pushed for the uptake of Aflasafe, a bio-technological innovation designed to address the prevalence of Aflatoxins.
The stakeholders stated this during an engagement between the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture and leaders of commodity association’s in Minna on Thursday.
Titilayo Falade, a food safety scientist with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), while speaking at the event said that the Aflasafe was developed by the IITA to address the challenges posed by Aflatoxins.
“Aflatoxins are the most poisonous natural toxins known to man. They are very dangerous and highly regulated worldwide.
“Aflasafe is a solution that prevents exposure to aflatoxins in our diets. It’s a nature-based solution, green technology, and eco-friendly.
“Applied 30-40 days after planting crops, once it is broadcasted on the field and the field gets mixture, the natural organisms that have been coated onto the sorghum grain can go into the farm and offer protection to crops pre-harvest.
“Aflasafe prevents accumulation of Aflatoxins pre-harvest and continues to provide protection post-harvest as exposure of aflatoxins starts pre-harvest and continues post-harvest. It also reduces exposure of consumers and animals to these dietary toxins.”
Falade warned that chronic exposure to Aflatoxins in a person’s diet could lead to liver cancer, and also reduces immunity.
“With limited opportunities for export, limited health vigor, this also leads to increased poverty,” she added.
According to her, the African Union (AU) suggests that 40 percent of commodities in local African markets exceed allowable limits for Aflatoxins.
“The AU suggests that Africa loses $100 million annually from lost potential exports.”
Also, Dr. Abdullahi Ndarubu, Chief Operating Officer of Harvestfield, the producer of Aflasafe in Nigeria said that the product as a bio-technology input was developed by IITA for field management of maize, groundnut, sesame, sorghum, and the likes of it.
Ndarubu noted that Aflasafe should be considered as a key agricultural input for farmers in Nigeria, due to its benefit for crop vitality and in the long run, the productivity of farmers in Nigeria.
He recommended the inclusion of Aflasafe among all products procured under subsidy by the state government.
“We recommend budgetary allocation for Aflatoxin management and awareness creation in both federal and state agric budgets.
“This is in addition to the institutionalizing of testing centers and systems for monitoring and compliance with Aflatoxin standards in Nigeria.
“Stakeholders must also domesticate Aflatoxin mitigation scientific and technical committee at the state level,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Yakubu Bello said that the state government, in line with its agenda for agricultural revolution would partner with the IITA and Harvestfield to boost the usage of Aflasafe by farmers.
“One of the key agenda for the present administration in Niger State is to go green, and this technology seems sustainable.
“We will sit down with producers and distributors to sell this the right way,” he said.
