Abstract:

Uganda has made considerable efforts to ensure food security of its population. However, the safety of food in the country is still a major issue due to aflatoxins produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus that contaminate inadequately dried foodstuffs including maize, groundnuts, sorghum, cassava, spices and fish. Once produced, the toxins remain in the commodity for the subsequent parts of the value chain until consumption. This has great impact on food security, health and trade. Although several studies have been conducted on aflatoxin incidence and prevalence in Ugandan food products, the full extent of impact from exposure has not yet been documented. For these reasons, Feed the Future (FtF) Uganda Agriculture Research Activity conducted a rapid assessment of aflatoxin prevalence and incidence in Uganda during the period August-November, 2022 with three objectives;
1.    Understand the prevalence and incidence of aflatoxin contamination for the selected (commodities maize, groundnuts, livestock feed, dried cassava and sorghum) in the key commodity markets in Uganda;
2.    Develop a holistic model for addressing the aflatoxin challenge encompassing research and innovation, value-chain handling, and policy and enforcement
3.    Collaborate with lead consultant undertaking the aflatoxin socio economic study in developing sustainable solutions in managing the aflatoxin challenge