• Aflatoxins are anti-nutritional food contaminants produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus

• Consumption of aflatoxin food products result in serious illnesses to humans and livestock, and result in economic losses

• The aflatoxin producing fungus occurs everywhere and infects most of the crops: Maize, groundnut, chilies, sorghum, pearl millet, black pepper, pistachio, and several crops

• Aflatoxins pose a serious risk to health and trade

Background

Maize in Andhra Pradesh

• Maize is a major crop in Kharimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak and Ranga Reddy Districts of Andhra Pradesh

• It is predominantly grown as rainfed crop

• Mostly hybrids are grown, which lacks resistance to either A. flavus or aflatoxins

• The climate under which maize is grown favors A. flavus infestation and aflatoxin contamination

• Pilot studies in northern AP indicate that climatic conditions and farmers practices favors toxin contamination

• ICRIAST has over 25 years of experience in management of mycotoxins, in particular, aflatoxins in groundnut

• Developed cost-affective crop management practices to reduce the risk of aflatoxin contamination in food and feeds

• Developed worlds cheapest aflatoxin diagnostic test

• Organizes intensive campaigns to increase aflatoxin awareness among farmers, extension officers and for public and private sector policy makers

Background

ICRISAT Initiative on management of aflatoxins in maize

• Maize is a major food and cash crop in semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa

• Aflatoxins are serious concern for trade and farmers (traders) are often faced with rejections

• Recently we initiated to expand our capacity to manage aflatoxins in maize to enhance quality of food for healthy diets, and enhanced market price for the maize produced by the farmers

- To know the viewpoints on aflatoxins in maize from NGOs in major maize growing areas and to identify best suitable options to implement management practices

- To inform and increase awareness about mycotoxins, in particular aflatoxins in maize, and associated health and trade risks

- To obtain feedback for our intended awareness campaign for maize growers and outline To select villages for farmers training programme and finalize action plan

• Geographic focus of participating NGOs

• Area of maize grown in their area (details on area grown in irrigated and non-irrigated areas, yields, major concerns of the farmers etc.)

• Common practices of maize farmers in their region (cultivation, harvesting, post harvesting and sale)

• Any diseases, pests or other production constrains on maize.

• NGOs viewpoints on aflatoxins. What would be the best approach to increase awareness among farmers and to manage aflatoxins in the fields?

Dr Farid Waliyar
Global Theme Leader – Biotechnology,
ICRISAT Principal Investigator of the project

Mr S Veera Reddy
Scientific Officer, ICRISAT

Dr P Lava Kumar
Special Project Scientist, ICRISAT

Mr Sumit Banarjee
Marketing Support, Effem India Ltd.

Dr Ramanjanayulu
Executive Director, CSA