AU calls for fight against aflatoxin in Africa

Rhoda Peace Tumusiime (2nd R), Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of African Union commission attended the opening ceremony of the 1st Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) press conference at the Africa union (AU) conference center in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Oct. 7, 2014. The conference was aimed at supporting agricultural development, safeguarding consumer health and facilitating trade by coordinating and increasing effective aflatoxin control in Africa. XINHUA PHOTO: MICHAEL TEWELDE

7-9 October 2014. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This PACA Partnership Platform Meeting brought together the full array of stakeholders involved in the management of aflatoxins, including: African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, government ministries and regulatory agencies, companies, farmers, entrepreneurs, health organizations, civil society groups and the development partners.

The PACA Secretariat has given several awareness-raising presentations at key events, including the African Livestock Conference and Exhibition 2013 (ALiCE) on 26-28 June 2013 and the East African Farmers Federation (EAFF) Farmers Congress 2013 on 5 August 2013.

This 1st PACA PP created a forum had following objectives:

• Embrace the refined PACA Mid-Term Strategic Plan as a driving instrument for attainment of results and impact;
• Share implementation progress, challenges and receive input from stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of PACA’s current activities;
• Exchange information, share experiences and lessons in afl­atoxin mitigation and management, including evidence from recent studies;
• Identify and deepen partnerships to create synergies and strengthen programs aligned with the PACA Strategy and Mid-Term Strategic Plan; and



Across Africa and around the world, 

numerous public and private funders are supporting 

to research, prevent and control aflatoxin contamination. 

PACA has begun to catalogue current and 

planned activities on aflatoxin in Africa. 

Activities range from research and analysis, 

development of new control technologies, 

scaling up existing technologies, 

or building capacity among key actors 

on the agricultural value-chains.

If you are aware of updates or additional activities 




that should be added to this list, 
please submit them using this form.




Click on the areas of the map for more details of 
ongoing or planned work in these countries and regions.

• Engage all stakeholders to support all efforts in the fight against a­flatoxins on the African continent.

Financing 
Extract of the agenda:

Session 12: Financing of Aflatoxin Mitigation Initiatives on the Continent

Panel discussion on specific challenges, opportunities, and innovative ideas to fund actions to reduce harmful effects of aflatoxin. Panel from private sector, public sector and philanthropy.

Panel Members:

• Dr. Dogo Seck, Secretary General of the Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Equipment, Republic of Senegal 
• Mary Onsongo, Program Management Specialist, Agricultural Markets and Value Chains, USAID East Africa 
• Regional Mission
• Gerald Masila, Executive Director, Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC)
• David Adama, Coordinator Public Finance for Agriculture, ActionAid International
• John Cordaro, Global Business Advisor, MARS (invited)
• Moderator: Boaz Blackie Keizire, Head, Food Security and Agriculture Division, African Union Commission

Research needs: 

Extract from the: Aflatoxin Impacts and Potential Solutions in Agriculture, Trade, and Health. 

A Background Paper for the PACA Strategy Development 

– StakeholderConsultation Workshop

"Conduct further research on use of aflatoxin-resistant planting materials, including conventional and transgenic breeding". (page 5)

"Promote research on safe disposal and alternative use of unsafe commodities, such as biofuels or blended feeds (which in the aggregate conform to safe maximum levels) and finishing feeds, which can have slightly higher levels (300ppb) of aflatoxin without harming the animal". (page 5)

"Conduct further research on ammoniation and other commercial processing techniques". (page 5)

Resources:

• Press release CoastWeek 12/10/2014: AU calls for fight against aflatoxin in Africa
• PACA Partnership Platform Meeting 2014 Program
• PACA Secretariat Mid-Term Strategic Direction
• Pilot Country Activities Progress Report
• An Infographic on Aflatoxin Activities in Africa

Additional (Optional) Reading:

• PACA Strategy 2013-2022
• PACA Status Report (forthcoming)
• PACA Newsletters
• An overview of the PACA PPM Marketplace
• Regional Workshop on the Aflatoxin Challenge in Eastern and Southern Africa--Full Report
• Regional Workshop on the Aflatoxin Challenge in Eastern and Southern Africa--Summary
• Regional Workshop on the Aflatoxin Challenge in West Africa--Communique
• Overview of a Scoping Study to Assess the Policy and Regulatory Environment and Technical Capacity for Aflatoxin Control in Africa
• The Malawi Programme for Aflatoxin Control (MAPAC) Country Action Plan
• Aflatoxin Impacts and Potential Solutions in Agriculture, Trade and Health
• 10 Facts You Should Know About Aflatoxins
• The Relationship Between Aflatoxins and Stunting: A Summary of Current Research

Related power point presentation:

Dr Amare Ayalew, Program Manager – Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA), African Union Commission from CatchTalk.TV

Aflatoxins: impacts on dairy production and trade- Dr. Benoit Gnonlonfin from African Dairy Conference and Exhibition

Aflatoxins impact on livestock and livestock trade from AFRICAN LIVESTOCK CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION (ALiCE 2014)

Related meeting:
Expert meeting on Food Safety for Nutrition Security discussing aflatoxin

01-02 October 2014. Berlin, Germany. Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ). Expert meeting on Food Safety for Nutrition Security discussing aflatoxin.