Creating a Network of Aflatoxin Management Champions in the
Media Release
March 11, Hyderabad: Aflatoxin contamination remains a significant challenge for food safety, human health, and livestock, with potentially fatal consequences. To address this issue, ICRISAT, with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, held a two-week training program to equip professionals from the Global South with the skills to tackle it.
Aflatoxins are widespread, affecting various food crops, including cereals, nuts, dairy products, and other agricultural commodities. Chronic exposure can lead to liver cancer, immune suppression, and stunted growth in children, while acute poisoning can be deadly. According to studies, about 2 billion people are exposed to mycotoxins.
At the closing ceremony on 7 March, ICRISAT's Director General, Dr Himanshu Pathak thanked the Government of India for funding the training and the participating countries for sending their experts. He observed that food safety is an integral part of food security. Aflatoxin contamination of agricultural crops such as groundnut, maize and tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, etc.) is a potential public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, south and south-east Asia.
Addressing participants, Dr Pathak emphasized that the institute’s commitment to knowledge exchange and capacity building, empowering experts to drive impact in their respective countries. "You are now ambassadors of ICRISAT. This workshop marks the beginning of a lasting partnership," said Dr Pathak.
The training had 34 participants from 16 countries—Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Cambodia, Ghana, Tanzania, South Sudan, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Gambia, Rwanda, Liberia, the Philippines, Iran, and Tajikistan. Representing ministries, research institutes, and universities, participants engaged in lectures and hands-on training at ICRISAT’s world-class laboratories.
ICRISAT’s Deputy Director General-Research and Innovation, Dr Stanford Blade, interacted personally with all participants.
“We are privileged to have you here for a shared learning experience. This hands-on training is just the beginning—it continues through you and the networks you build, strengthening efforts to combat aflatoxin contamination in your countries," said Dr Blade.
At the inaugural session on 24 February, special guest Mr RV Karnan, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety for Telangana, emphasized the importance of One Health, an integrated approach recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
"Detecting aflatoxin at its source—rather than only at the end of the supply chain—is crucial. Good agricultural practices and advanced diagnostic tools like ELISA play a vital role. This specialized training equips participants to detect and eliminate aflatoxins in our food systems through integrated management," said Mr Karnan.
Dr ML Jat, ICRISAT’s Global Research Program Director for Resilient Farm and Food Systems, highlighted aflatoxin’s economic impact, citing Malawi’s halted groundnut exports. ICRISAT’s collaboration with governments and the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM), in addition to the deployment of low-cost detection kits, helped reverse the situation, improving food safety and public health.
The training covered aflatoxin detection, integrated management, host plant resistance, genomics, storage, and sampling. Participants gained hands-on and theoretical expertise for a comprehensive learning experience.
Speaking at the valedictory session, Dr Sean Mayes, ICRISAT's Research Program Director, highlighted the extent of the mycotoxin problem in agriculture, its interconnectedness with the broader agricultural ecosystem, and how science can help tackle it.
Dr Hari Kishan Sudini, ICRISAT’s Principal Scientist – Groundnut Pathology, cited the case of wild elephants that died in 2024 after grazing in a mycotoxin-infested millet field, underscoring the severe risks from aflatoxin contamination.
ICRISAT’s Dryland Academy and the Crop Protection and Seed Health Cluster, with support from the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), the leading capacity-building platform of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, conducted an International Training on Detection and Integrated Management of Aflatoxin Contamination in Crops for Safe Food and Fair Trade from 24 February to 07 March.
Participant Feedback
"ICRISAT’s training has equipped me to build capacity among farmers and stakeholders on aflatoxin prevention strategies. I plan to collaborate with policymakers to strengthen regulations, ensuring Zambia meets international standards. Additionally, I aim to lead research on aflatoxin-resistant crops and promote rapid detection methods to safeguard food safety and exports."
— Kelvin Mumba, Agricultural Research Officer and Entomologist, Department of Zambia Agricultural Research Institute.
"This training has deepened my understanding of aflatoxin contamination’s impact on public health, economic stability, agriculture, food security, and safety in the Philippines. I will apply what I have learned by collaborating with the agricultural extension departments to educate farmers on good agricultural practices and strengthening monitoring and compliance through accurate testing and timely interventions."
— Nina Valerie Hinto, Grains Operations Officer, National Food Authority, Philippines.
Jemima Mandapati
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