Post-Harvest Management Technologies for Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize Grain and Exposure to Humans in Zimbabwe
This project seeks to investigate innovative post-harvest solutions to reduce aflatoxin contamination in grain. It will aim to limit exposure to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, who are more vulnerable to the toxins. Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins in certain species of fungi. They are found in maize, Zimbabwe's main staple food. They cause sickness or death in animals and humans. The research will be conducted in the Makoni and Shamva districts of Zimbabwe, through a partnership between the University of Zimbabwe and the humanitarian organization, Action contre la Faim. Researchers will investigate technologies such as hermetic storage (metal silos and super bags). Selected households will participate in intervention groups and use hermetic storage options. The control group of households will continue using traditional storage techniques. The project team will partner with private sector companies to increase the availability of improved storage technologies. The Ministry of Health will disseminate information on these technologies and the benefits they offer for reducing aflatoxin contamination and improving human health. The research aims to -assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to good pre- and post-harvest management practices that minimize aflatoxin contamination in maize; -determine how different post-harvest storage practices (metal silos, hermetic bags, and traditional storage practices) can reduce aflatoxins in stored grain; -assess how different storage methods can reduce aflatoxins exposure in households; -determine the levels of aflatoxins in legumes (groundnuts, bambara, beans, and cowpeas) produced in Shamva and Makoni districts; and -identify and assess different models for delivery of post-harvest management technologies to smallholder grain producers. The research is expected to reduce human exposure to aflatoxins by promoting hermetic storage technology for maize grain. It will also offer evidence to support the implementation of national food security policies.
Project ID
107838
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
30 months
IDRC Officer
Jemimah Njuki
Total Funding
CA$ 2,142,600.00
Location
Zimbabwe
Programs
Agriculture and Food Security
Institution Country
Zimbabwe
Project Leader
Charlene Pellsah Ambali
Institution
Action Contre La Faim
Institution Website
Institution Country
Zimbabwe
Project Leader
Dr. Loveness K. Nyanga
Institution
University of Zimbabwe
Institution Website
Outputs
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Postharvest management technologies for reducing aflatoxin contamination in maize grain and exposure to humans in Zimbabwe - final technical report Report
This study investigates the efficacy of hermetic storage technology in reduction of mycotoxins contamination of maize grain, and hence the reduction in exposure of humans to these toxins. The effectiveness of the hermetic technology (hermetic metal silo and hermetic grain bag) was demonstrated in reduction of aflatoxins. The study concluded that hermetic technologies can be used to reduce economic loss due to insect damage. The average weight loss was 6.11% for conventional storage; 3.54% for metal silos and 2.54% for hermetic bags. Author(s): Nyanga, Loveness, Ambali, Charlene Pellsah Language: English |
Reducing maize-based aflatoxin contamination and exposure in Zimbabwe - Policy Brief Brief
This project used a randomized control trial to test the efficacy of two technologies – metal silos and thick plastic hermetic ‘super bags’ – against the use of conventional storage methods (polypropylene bags and mud huts) to reduce post-harvest losses and aflatoxin contamination of grain. Results indicated a lower occurrence and concentration of aflatoxin M1 in urine samples of women and children from households using the hermetic technology for grain storage. Results analysis also concludes that these methods reduced economic losses due to insect damage. Awareness of aflatoxins and their associated health risks increased among women from 36% (2015) to 99% (2016). Author(s): Wrenmedia Language: English |
Reducing maize-based aflatoxin contamination and exposure in Zimbabwe - Project Brief Brief
New storage technologies and community education will be tested to tackle aflatoxin contamination and to reduce human exposure, particularly in young children. In Zimbabwe, testing of harvested maize has revealed high levels of contamination by aflatoxins, produced by fungi on maize and other crops, both in the field and during storage. This one-pager describes the study, an intervention whereby households receive airtight metal storage silos or thick plastic ‘super bags’ in which to store their grain. If found to be effective, these will be provided to all participants, including the control group. Author(s): Wrenmedia Language: English |
Transformer les relations hommes-femmes grâce à l’utilisation d’une technologie d’entreposage hermétique Dossiers
Author(s): Nyanga, Loveness K., Chahwanda, Svlvia, Nagru, Moira, Dembedza, Mavis P., Manema, Lucia, Ambali, Charlene P. Language: French |
Transforming gender relations through the use of hermetic technology Brief
Unequal power relations between men and women influence the adoption and impact of new agricultural technologies at the household level, therefore efforts were made to ensure initiatives intervened in a gender-just manner. Due to this study implementation, household awareness of aflatoxins and their management increased among women from 36% (2015) to 99% (2016). Such knowledge has reduced fungal outbreaks during storage from 44% to 6%. Hermetic metal silos are cylindrical structures constructed from galvanized iron sheets and hermetically sealed. The technology eliminates oxygen, thereby killing insect pests. Hermetic bags are made from multi-layer recyclable polyethylene plastic. Author(s): Nyanga, Loveness K., Chahwanda, Sylvia, Nigaru, Moira, Dembedza, Mavis P., Manema, Lucia, Ambali, Charlene P. Language: English |