Tanzania Launches Initiative to Prevent Aflatoxin Contamination in Staple Crops

Strategic Insights -

President Samia Suluhu Hassan presided over the launch ceremony of the Tanzania Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination (TANIPAC), a collaborative effort between the African Development Bank, the Government of Tanzania, and the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP). The initiative aims to significantly reduce aflatoxin contamination in staple crops such as maize and groundnuts, essential for the country's food security and agricultural exports. By improving post-harvest handling, comprehensive farmer training, and deploying modern storage technologies, TANIPAC seeks to empower farmers to produce safe, high-quality crops that meet both domestic and international standards.

Key Takeaways:

  • The TANIPAC initiative is a collaborative effort between the African Development Bank, the Government of Tanzania, and the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP), with a total funding of $63.2 million.
  • 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.
  • TANIPAC targets 60,000 farmers across Tanzania, providing them with essential tools including metal silos, solar dryers, and moisture meters, as well as comprehensive training on aflatoxin prevention techniques.
  • The initiative is projected to benefit the agricultural sector by increasing incomes and opening doors to higher-value markets, ultimately contributing to the country's food security and agricultural trade.
  • 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.
  • The Global Agriculture & Food Security Program (GAFSP) was created in response to the global crisis in food prices in 2008-2009, with funding of up to $20 billion for agricultural development and food security.
  • The African Development Bank is supervising ten countries under GAFSP, including Ghana, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania, The Gambia, Tanzania, Central Africa Republic, and Guinea Bissau.

Statistics:

  • Total funding for TANIPAC: $63.2 million
  • Funding contribution:

+ African Development Bank: $9.2 million

+ Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP): $20 million

+ Government of Tanzania: $34 million

  • Number of farmers targeted: 60,000
  • Number of councils affected: 18 (mainland) + 2 (Zanzibar)
  • Percentage of farmers equipped with modern storage technologies: unknown
  • Project duration: 2019-present
  • Number of countries supervised by the African Development Bank under GAFSP: 10

Sources:

  • "Tanzania Launches Initiative to Prevent Aflatoxin Contamination in Staple Crops" (2025), African Development Bank.
  • "Global Agriculture & Food Security Program (GAFSP)" (n.d.), African Development Bank.
  • "Tanzania's Development Vision 2025" (2025), Government of Tanzania.
  • "TANIPAC Project" (n.d.), Ministry of Agriculture of Tanzania Implementation Unit.