TANZANIA – The Tanzanian Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination (TANIPAC), launched five years ago, is on the brink of completion, offering renewed hope for safer grains in Tanzania and the broader East African region.
This comprehensive project, part of Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025 (TDV 2025), was initiated to address the persistent issue of aflatoxin contamination, which has plagued Tanzania’s maize and other key crops, affecting both local consumption and exports.
Aflatoxins, toxic chemicals produced by molds that thrive in improperly stored or dried grains, have been a significant challenge for Tanzania’s agriculture sector.
These toxins have been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, and have led to temporary bans on Tanzanian maize exports by neighboring countries like Kenya.
Experts estimate that aflatoxin reduces the amount of food available for consumption (in terms of caloric value by 18 percent, 15 percent, and 11 percent in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania respectively.
This, according to the EAGC official, tends to create a food security gap in the region.
In addition, experts report that losses associated with aflatoxin contamination in Africa have escalated to US$670 million annually.
The TANIPAC project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and supported by international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and USAID, seeks to eliminate these risks by improving post-harvest practices among farmers.
The project focuses on critical areas such as post-harvest hygiene, adequate drying, and waterproof storage methods.
Since its inception, TANIPAC has engaged over 60,000 farmers in key maize-producing regions, including Dodoma and Manyara. These efforts are expected to significantly reduce aflatoxin levels in grains, enhancing the safety and quality of Tanzanian exports.
As the TANIPAC project approaches its December 2024 completion, Tanzanian authorities are confident that the initiative will mark a turning point in the country’s agricultural practices, securing Tanzania’s place as a leading exporter of safe, high-quality grains in East Africa.
Beyond the TANIPAC project, the country has been involved in several other key efforts to reduce aflatoxin levels in its food supply and ensure safer grain exports.
Last year, the government announced a series of stringent measures to control aflatoxin prevalence as the country bets to be the East African Community (EAC) food basket.
According to government officials, the measures included establishing mini-labs at the border posts, training farmers and other stakeholders on aflatoxin prevention, and applying approved insecticides to combat insect infestation in stored bulk grains.
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