The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), together with the Food Rights Alliance (FRA) and the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), have launched a national campaign to address the recurring problem of aflatoxin contamination of food and animal feed.
Speaking at the launch that took place at NACCRI in Namulonge, Agnes Kirabo the FRA Executive Director, noted that aflatoxins have continued to pose a significant health risk to humans and livestock and negatively impact Uganda’s agricultural exports.
Aflatoxins are poisonous molds found in crops which pose a serious threat to food safety and public health.
She revealed that the the campaign will help to empower food and feed handlers to reduce aflatoxin contamination.
The Joint Advocacy Campaign in Aflatoxin Control will also raise awareness of safe food and animal feed handling practices to reduce contamination.
The campaign, designed to support locally driven aflatoxin control in Uganda, is implemented by FRA through a grant funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Feed the Future Uganda Institutional and Systems Strengthening Activity.
Kirabo emphasized the importance of the campaign saying the country needs to ensure that all actors are very cautious about the risks that aflatoxin contamination brings to health but also to trade.
She added, “We are looking at raising civic consciousness and the competency to engage in best practices to reduce and control aflatoxin levels.”
On his part, Paul Mwambu, Commissioner department of Crop Inspection and Certification, pledged government’s support towards the fight against aflatoxins.
“We will continue raising awareness, implementing effective control measures which can combat aflatoxin. We will also comprehensively address the problem through research, funding among others,” Mwambu said, while delivering remarks from the Minister of Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze.
Godfrey Asia, Director NACCRI, said aflatoxins are a big problem in the food value chain, however, government has taken steps to address it.
He called for collaborations and partnerships across board if the aflatoxin problem is to be fully solved.
By addressing the root causes of aflatoxin contamination and promoting proper harvesting and storage practices, the campaign aims to safeguard public health and preserve Uganda’s market share within the region.
Additional collaborators in the campaign include The Grain Council of Uganda (TGCU), the World Food Programme (WFP), CABI International, the Global Consumers Center, Sasakawa Africa Association, and Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative.