Aflatoxin: A Synthesis of the Research in Health, Agriculture and Trade

“The participatory
plant breeding (PPB)
approach provides
stakeholders with
the opportunity to
consult and participate
in technology and
dissemination,
thus increasing the
probability that
techniques and plant
strains will be adopted
by the community.”
Argentina, and canada. Many european countries, however, have been slower
in adopting genetic modification technology as it is still uncertain what the longterm
effects of genetic modification may be. the impact on the environment
at large is still largely unknown. the elimination of certain pests will affect
the insects and animals that feed on them, and the introduction of any new
pesticide almost certainly leads to the eventual birth of resilient “superbugs.”
Release of Bt corn, and any genetically modified plant, warrants further regionbased
research and consistent documentation. 17
Peanuts are an important crop to east Africa as they are generally resilient,
and high in food energy. one pound of peanuts provides the same energy
or protein as 2 pounds of beef, 1.5 pounds of cheddar cheese, 9 pints of
milk, or 36 medium-sized eggs. consumed raw, blanched, roasted, crushed,
as livestock feed, or as the oil extracted from the crop, peanuts are extremely
versatile and nutritious. however, they are prone to many of the same issues
plaguing other cash crops—disease, pests, and drought. okello, Biruma, and
Deom 18 describe a breeding practice, participatory plant breeding (PPB), that is
currently employed in parts of Uganda and other areas of Africa. this program
is largely a collaboration between farmers and plant breeders to select and
cultivate strains of peanuts that would make the best additions to a formal
breeding program. the PPB approach provides stakeholders with the opportunity
to consult and participate in technology and dissemination, thus increasing the
probability that techniques and plant strains will be adopted by the community.
this collaboration also ensures that breeders and farmers become more familiar
with one another’s needs, skills, motivations, challenges, and successes. PPB
should be linked with the formal breeding system to ensure a continuous flow of
novel genetic variability and an informal seed supply system which can spread
new and promising varieties to local farms and communities.
PPB allows community members to develop stronger and more resilient plants
through collaboration with one another and regional scientists. A practical
application of technology in the field, plants that are bred to be stronger and
more resilient to disease, pestilence, and climate are consequently also more
resilient to damage attributable to aflatoxin exposure. As discussed earlier in
this section, plants weakened by harsh weather conditions and insect invasion
are more likely to show higher levels of aflatoxin. okello, Biruma, and Deom
propose a direct correlation between new, resilient plant strains and lower
incidences of toxicity. in addition, community collaboration may also increase
regional morale.
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