ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

Activity 3C 1.1. Develop breeding populations and lines with enhanced resistance to aflatoxin contamination
Milestones: A synthesis report on Integrated Aflatoxin management published (2007)
Data from verification and demonstration trials of technologies to minimize aflatoxin contamination were analyzed.
Preparation of an information bulletin is in progress.
B Ntare and F Waliyar
At least 10 promising breeding lines resistant to foliar diseases and aflatoxin contamination available to
NARS in WCA (2008)
Promising lines from the preliminary evaluation trials (see above) will be available for distribution to NARS on
request.
B Ntare and F Waliyar
Activity 3.C.1.2 Test crop management options to reduce Aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts
Milestone: Technologies to minimize aflatoxin contamination scaled-out to 3 countries in WCA (2007)
On-farm demonstration of best-bet harvesting techniques and tolerant varieties: We have successfully
developed and tested integrated management technologies to prevent aflatoxin contamination at the farmer level in
Mali. However large scale dissemination of these technical packages, along with intensive sensitization campaigns
across the commodity chain remains a major challenge. Awareness about aflatoxin contamination is improving and
efforts were made to continue dissemination technology packages on the control of aflatoxin contamination at
production level.
On-farm trials/demonstrations of the best-bet harvesting and drying techniques were conducted in Nigeria for a
second year and in Senegal for the first time. In Nigeria, improved method of drying the pods facing the sun reduced
Aflatoxin contamination by as high as 97% compared to the farmers’ method of windrowing. Aflatoxin content in
seed ranged from 3.73 to 9.00 ppb under the improved method compared to 6.00 to 337.00 ppb under the traditional
method. These results are consistent with those obtained in the previous crop season. This simple management
technique can significantly contribute to healthy groundnut products and needs to be promoted widely.
Raising awareness through training workshops and other information dissemination pathways: ICRISAT
provided technical and partial financial support for a 2-day workshop on best-bet harvesting and drying
techniques in Niger. Projet Intrants of FAO Niger organized the workshop. Two representatives from each of the
four regions of Niger attended the workshop. These would in turn impart the knowledge to a large audience in their
respective areas.
In Mali, a two-day workshop on crop management practices and quality control was held for a group of
farmers in Sanakoroba district. KILABO, a local NGO facilitated the workshop. Two extension agents and 15
women attended. At the request of Women Association of Wakoro in Doila, ICRISAT organized a 4-day training
workshop in crop management. During these workshops, the participants were sensitized on how to minimize
the aflatoxin contaminataion.
Group discussions were regularly held with farmers, traders and processors to assess their awareness. The
interaction revealed that many farmers were ignorant of the aflatoxin problem. They opined that since there is
no visible indications of aflatoxin on the seed they considered end-of season drought to be responsible for low
yields and bitterness of seeds. It is known that any delay in harvesting the crop under end-of season drought could
severely reduce yield and increased aflatoxin contamination.
Information dissemination: Under the CFC supported project, information leaflets on how to minimize aflatoxin
contamination (English and Hausa languages) were prepared in Nigeria and will be widely distributed. In Mali
1000 flyers (in Bambara and French) have been distributed to raise awareness about Aflatoxin contamination.
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