RATIN

Kenya adopts new method to help fight aflatoxin

Posted on April, 6, 2016 at 08:43 am


Efforts to curb aflatoxin-related deaths in the country got a major boost yesterday when the government received two machines from the Mexican government to clean maize from the deadly fungi. The move is part of the bilateral cooperation in agriculture between the two countries which was formalised in November 2015.

Valued at Sh800,000, the machines will help in the separation of clean maize from that affected by aflatoxin using technology known as Nixtamalisation. This is a process of the preparation of maize or other grain, in which the grain is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution, usually limewater.

Public Service, Gender and Youth Affairs Cabinet secretary, Sicily Kariuki said the new technology would lead to increased value addition along the maize commodity value chain, improved food security and create jobs.

“Nixtamalisation technology can be adopted as a post-harvest methodology to reduce aflatoxin exposure,” said Kariuki who received the machines at Kenya Agricultural, Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) from Mexico ambassador to Kenya, Erasmo Martinez.

In Mexico, where the technology has been used for a long time, the government has reported reduction of about 30-58 per cent of aflatoxin in tortillas- a type of soft, thin flatbread made from finely ground wheat flour.

Martinez said his government considers the project, a key aspect in the bilateral relations with Kenya which would benefit local people. “The intense dedication on behalf of Mexican and Kenyan authorities and the institutions is proof of a common vision that officially begins today (yesterday),” he said.

Agriculture Principal Secretary, Dr Richard Lesiyampe urged the county governments of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui – which are mainly affected by aflatoxin – to cooperate to enhance food safety, food security and improved nutrition. In 2014, the country disposed off 155, 000 bags of 90kg maize through incineration.

Aflatoxin affects both local and international trade negatively. “Disposal of Aflatoxin infected feeds is difficult and expensive,” the CS added. In 2015, Kenya produced 42 million bags of 90kg capacity bag of maize but experts say that, 50 per cent of that yield was rejected by millers. In 2004 alone, 124 people died because of aflatoxin contamination.

Source: http://www.mediamaxnetwork.co.ke