By: Saidu Jalloh
The Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP-SL), in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), has successfully concluded a week-long training program aimed at equipping groundnut and maize farmers with practical skills in aflatoxin management.
The training sessions were held in Moyamba, Bombali, and Kambia Districts, where sixty farmers from each district, along with agricultural officers from MAFS, gathered to learn about aflatoxin contamination and how to manage it effectively. The program focused on raising awareness about the dangers of aflatoxins and demonstrated the effective use of Aflasafe, a biological control product developed to prevent aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and maize crops.
Aflatoxins are highly toxic substances produced by certain fungi under warm and humid conditions. Experts warned that these toxins pose severe health risks to both humans and animals, while also reducing crop value and export potential. Smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone, many of whom rely on groundnut and maize for food security and income, are especially vulnerable to the impact of aflatoxins.
During the opening of the training, MAFS representatives reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving food safety systems through capacity building and innovation. They emphasized that combating aflatoxin contamination is not just a food safety issue but also crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity, boosting market competitiveness, and protecting public health.
Dr. Patrick Maada Ngegba, SLARI’s technical lead, led practical demonstrations on how to incorporate Aflasafe into farming systems. He outlined best practices for application, timing, and complementary agronomic methods to minimize contamination. The farmers were also taught proper post-harvest handling, including techniques for drying, storing, and packaging crops.
Dr. Ngegba described the initiative as “a significant step in strengthening farmers’ resilience against food safety threats within the broader objectives of the FSRP.” He added, “This program equips farmers with practical tools to protect their harvests and improve their livelihoods. By reducing aflatoxin levels, we are safeguarding public health while opening up market opportunities for Sierra Leonean produce.”
The farmers welcomed the training, recognizing its relevance to their daily challenges. Each farmer received 10 kilograms of Aflasafe for use on one hectare of groundnut and maize crops. They pledged to apply the new techniques to improve both food safety and income security.
This week-long training represents a critical milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to enhance food safety, agricultural resilience, and trade competitiveness. The program also marked the introduction of Aflasafe technology in Sierra Leone, with effectiveness trials now planned in the three training regions. Results from these trials will be compiled into a dossier for the technology’s registration, paving the way for its large-scale adoption once approved.