Plastic ‘super-bags’ rescue Zimbabwe grain farmers’ aflatoxin problem
New technology fight the maize mycotoxin, linked to stunting childhood growth, liver cancer and immune suppression
Makoni, Zimbabwe — For years, Selina Moyo did not waste maize grain that went mouldy. While her family may not have eaten it, she would throw it to the chickens or allow cattle to nibble on it. Not anymore. Farmers in Zimbabwe and across Africa routinely lose their crop to pests. In addition, poor drying and storage attracts a more serious health risk: aflatoxin contamination. These are naturally occurring poisons produced by certain species of fungi which infect crops in the field, before or after harvest and during storage. Exposure to aflatoxins has been linked to stunting of childhood growth, liver cancer, and immune suppression in adults, yet there is a general lack of awareness in farming communities across Africa about this threat to health, food security and trade. Hermetic storage in the form of thick, plastic "super-bags" and the metal silos have proven effective against pests and in reducing aflatoxin contamination, a new study by researchers in Zimbabwe has found. Moyo, ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.