At a meeting in Kampala, Uganda, held between 24 and 25 July to discuss support towards the abatement of aflatoxins, it was noted that NEPAD’s support towards reviews on mainstreaming the country’s nutrition plans, helped mobilise close to US $27 million for nutrition initiatives. 

Working with the National Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans (NAFSIPs), the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Nutrition Roadmap conducted reviews to mainstream food safety and tackle the prevalence of Aflatoxin in Uganda. 

Aflatoxin is poison produced by certain fungi in soil and dead or decaying matter. It can also be found in or on food and feeds. The fungi can cause cancer, suppression of the immune-system, stunted growth and under-weight children, liver disease, and even death, if the product is contaminated at high concentrations. 

According to the World Health Organization, African States have suffered a reduction of 64 per cent in food quality due to Aflatoxin contamination. The most affected countries in are Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda and Madagascar. The Fungi have received a lot of attention in recent years because of their hazardous effects in both animals and human beings. African countries have united under the framework of CAADP to mitigate contamination. 

The meeting in Kampala included representatives from the Ugandan Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives, NEPAD Agency, African Union Commission and the East African Community. The participants acknowledged that Aflatoxin mitigation should address agriculture in its totality, including crops and livestock, with a special focus on feed and fisheries. Participants visited the food laboratory at Makerere University which conducts tests in agricultural produce to ensure that nutrition and food safety standards are adhered to. The AUC and the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa committed to support the revamping of the microbiology laboratory with testing machines at the University.

Some of the key outcomes of the meeting include the establishment of an Africa Aflatoxin Information Management System; support for country-led food safety situation analyses; and mainstreaming of aflatoxin control through CAADP and its partners.

Ms Kefilwe Moalosi of NEPAD’s Nutrition Programme in the testing lab

Ms Kefilwe Moalosi of NEPAD’s Nutrition Programme reported that the Ugandan diet mainly composed of traditional bananas known a Matoke, starchy roots (cassava, sweet potatoes), cereals (maize, millet, sorghum) and pulses (nuts), can be adversely affected by the Fungi which is known to contaminate these food crops.

Uganda is one of the pilot countries chosen through the intensive process that was endorsed at the 10th CAADP Partnership Platform, held in South Africa earlier this year.