Prediction and cost-effective management of Mycotoxin Contamination for African Countries

Project: PhD

Project Details

Description

Africa is a continent of mostly developing countries that produces cereals for human consumption, livestock feed, and trade. However, the quality and quantity of these cereals is negatively impacted by some secondary fungal metabolites, mycotoxins. The toxic compounds produced by fungi pose a significant threat to food safety and security, particularly in staple crops like sorghum, millet and maize across African countries. The mycotoxins are produced mostly by Aspergillus and Fusarium fungal species and can contaminate crops during various stages especially in the early stage of cultivation and harvest. The fungi thrive in regions with climate uncertainties like Africa, and proliferate depending on the agronomic methods adopted by farmers. Mycotoxins-contaminated produce can lead to serious health risks for consumers, rendering small scale farmers vulnerable, reducing crop yields, increasing market rejection and potential trade barriers, leading to financial strain and jeopardising food security. For decades, numerous monitoring activities have been adopted by African policymakers, farmers and seed collectors/processors in an attempt to control the impact and reduce risk of these toxins to safeguard food, but the system developed have been merely rudimentary and ineffective. Therefore, a system is needed that will enable detection of mycotoxins contamination, allowing for timely intervention measures, mitigation of farmers’ risks, protection of consumer health and facilitation of smoother international trade and market access. Such a system, when adopted, could significantly impact smallholder farmers’ income by providing early warnings, recommendations, and prompts to take action at critical stages of the supply chain.
StatusActive
Effective start/end date1/08/24 → …

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