The IITA
CGIAR
No. 2340
22–26 August 2016
IITA efforts to control Aflatoxin in Tanzania impress US Senate staff
V
isiting staff from the United States Senate, Washington DC, have applauded efforts by IITA to tackle aflatoxin contamination in key staple crops in Tanzania. Aflatoxin is a poison produced by some naturally occurring species of the fungus, Aspergillus that renders crops unfit for human and livestock consumption and reduces their sale value.
When consumed, aflatoxins cause serious negative health consequences including death in cases of extreme poisoning. Tanzania is reeling from the recent death of 14 people and scores of others falling gravely ill after consuming contaminated maize.
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington DC and from the US missions in Kenya and Tanzania visited IITA at its Eastern Africa hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania while on a tour of projects funded by USAID and USDA in the country.
The US Senate staff, who were Speaking during the visit, Tracy Cracken, accompanied by staff from the United the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Advisor at the USAID Regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, praised the efforts by the Institute in addressing agriculture challenges and in particular for transferring to Africa, Aflasafe, the biocontrol technology developed in the USA to prevent aflatoxin poisoning. She further promised to work with IITA and her partners including the Tanzanian government to fast track the development and registration of Aflasafe. Brian Dutoi, an International Agricultural Program Specialist with USDA noted in his e-mail to the IITA Director after the visit: “The delegates were very impressed by IITA’s efforts and progress, and they carried the experience home as a perfect example of the important work sponsored by US funds (in part). Thank you very much for the time and energy you put into preparing for the delegation and hosting us all, it is deeply appreciated.”
IITA staff demonstrate to the visiting team the production of AflasafeTZ at IITA-EA hub in Tanzania.
Cont’d on page 2
Research in IITA has much potential to benefit the world – Paul Lehmann, Australian High Commissioner
D
uring a visit and tour of facilities at IITA Ibadan, His Excellency, Paul Lehmann, the Australian ambassador to Nigeria, accompanied by Hope Ayabina, the Public Affairs Officer Australia High Commission, praised the ongoing projects of the Institute and acknowledged that IITA has great promise for the world. The visitors were received by Kenton Dashiell, DDG Partnerships for Delivery on 23 August.
Lehmann said the mission to IITA aimed to strengthen the relationship between IITA L-R: IITA DDG Partnership for Delivery Kenton Dashiell (left) and Lehmann listen attentively as Ylva Hillbur, IITA DDG Research (right), highlights major agricultural research activities at IITA.
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