Diversity of Aspergillus Species and Aflatoxin Contamination along Maize and Groundnut Value Chains in Eastern and Southern Africa

Project description

Diversity of Aspergillus Species and Aflatoxin Contamination along Maize and Groundnut Value Chains in Eastern and Southern Africa

Project objectives

Overall Objective: 

To determine diversity of Aspergillus spp., aflatoxin contamination and its impacts along the maize and groundnut value chains for enhanced quality in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Specific objective(s): 

  1. Determine and improve stakeholders??? awareness on aflatoxin contamination along maize and groundnut value chains;
  2. Elucidate genetic diversity and population dynamics of Aspergillus spp. in maize and groundnut fields and selected crop materials;
  3. Determine the prevalence of aflatoxin along maize and groundnut value chains;
  4. Assess the socio-economic (health and commerce) impacts of aflatoxin exposure in maize and groundnut products; and
  5. Identify and formulate the remedial measures for mitigating impacts of aflatoxin along the maize and groundnut value chains
Project activities

  1. Conducting assessments of levels and creation of awareness, among stakeholders on aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut value chains in Eastern and Southern African countries

  2. Soil, plant tissue and product assessment to determine genetic distribution of Aspergillus species, population changes in season, and amounts and types of aflatoxins accumulated in maize and groundnut value chains

  3. Participatory stakeholder engagement and secondary data analyses to determine impact on health and commerce of low quality maize and groundnut products due to aflatoxin contaminationIdentifying, formulating and participatory evaluation of appropriate strategies for mitigating aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut value chains

Project achievements

This action aims to result in:

  1. Increased awareness of stakeholder on aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut value chains in Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia; 
  2. Population dynamics and diversity of Aspergillus spp. established in Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia;
    Prevalence of aflatoxins in maize and groundnut products along the value chain determined; 
  3. Socio-economic impacts of exposure to aflatoxin in maize and groundnut products along the value chains determined; 
  4. Remedial measures for mitigating impacts of aflatoxin contamination identified and formulated for potential adoption along the maize and groundnut value chains
Project Lead
University of Zambia
Project Funder
African Union
Project Partners
  1. University of Zambia, Zambia
  2. Haramaya University, Ethiopia
  3. National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI), Uganda
  4. Busitema University, Uganda
  5. ICRISAT, CGIAR (Associate Partner), Malawi
Start Date
End Date
Project status
Completed