Tanzania Launches Initiative to Prevent Aflatoxin Contamination in Staple Crops

Tanzania has marked a significant step towards ensuring food safety, protecting public health, and strengthening agricultural exports with the launch of the Tanzania Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination (TANIPAC). The initiative aims to reduce aflatoxin contamination in staple crops such as maize and groundnuts through improved post-harvest practices, comprehensive farmer training, and deployment of modern storage technologies. The project, which commenced in 2019, has been actively implemented across 18 councils on the mainland and 2 councils in Zanzibar, with infrastructure development, training of farmers, and institutional strengthening.

Key Takeaways:

• The Tanzania Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination (TANIPAC) is a collaborative partnership between the African Development Bank, the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP), and the Government of Tanzania, with a budget of $63.2 million.
• The initiative aims to reduce aflatoxin contamination in staple crops such as maize and groundnuts, key crops for the country, through improved post-harvest practices, comprehensive farmer training, and deployment of modern storage technologies.
• TANIPAC will benefit over 60,000 farmers across Tanzania, equipping them with essential tools including metal silos, solar dryers, and moisture meters, while providing comprehensive training on aflatoxin prevention techniques.
• The project has been implemented in 20 councils across Tanzania, with a focus on infrastructure development, training of farmers, and institutional strengthening.
• TANIPAC aligns with Tanzania's Development Vision 2025 and its Five-Year Development Plan, reinforcing the country's ambition to lead in food security, nutrition, and agricultural trade across East Africa.

Statistics:

• The initiative has a budget of $63.2 million, with the African Development Bank contributing $9.2 million, the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP) contributing $20 million, and the Government of Tanzania committing $34 million.
• The project aims to benefit over 60,000 farmers across Tanzania.
• TANIPAC has been implemented in 20 councils across Tanzania, including 18 councils on the mainland and 2 councils in Zanzibar.

Sources:

• African Development Bank Group
• Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP)
• Ministry of Agriculture of Tanzania Implementation Unit