Adopt pragmatic approach to fight Aslatoxin in grains production

Mr Daniel Adotey, Senior Programme Officer of SEND-Ghana, an NGO, has called on farmers to adopt pragmatic approach to fight Aslatoxin in maize and other grains production.

He said Aslatoxin constitute numerous ailment in both human and animal.

Mr Adotey made the call when he addressed a day’s workshop for 60 farmers and Directors of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture from the Techiman Municipality.

The workshop, which was on the theme “Deepening Linkages between advocacy, research and media", was organised by Ecuminical Association for Sustainable Agriculture and rural Development ((ECASARD) and the Food Research Institute (FRI), in parternaship with Send Ghana with funding from the Southern African Trust.

The workshop, among other things is aimed at equipping farmers with practical knowledge and skills.

Mr Adotey said SEND-Ghana was collaborating with Food Research Institute, ECASARD and the media, to collectively work to address issues of Aslatoxin and reduce the poverty of farmers.

He said the workshop will also equip farmers with practical knowledge as to how they should handle their maize so that it doesn’t get infected.

Mr James Mahama, Deputy Director of MOFA- Techiman Municipality, disclosed that the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with MOFA has embarked on a research to collect maize, other grains and soil samples throughout the country to be tested for the presence of Aslatoxin and also find a remedy to the problem.

He asked all stakeholders to help minimize Aslatoxin in cereals.

Mr George Anyebuno, Head of Toxicology of FRI took the farmers through sampling for Aslatoxin in maize, insect perforation, insect damage, shipped and discoloured grains.

Mr Anyebuno urged farmers to properly dry their maize to prevent it from getting infected with Aslatoxin and asked them to cooperate with stakeholders in minimizing Aslatoxin which causes diseases such as cancer.

A speech read for Dr King David Amoah, National President of ECASARD, called on the participants to take the training workshop seriously since they play a major role in food production.

He admonished farmers to use the knowledge acquired at the workshop to educate other farmers about Aslatoxin in maize and other grains.

Nana Ankomah Frimpong, Twimiahene and Sanaahene of Techiman Traditional Area who chaired the function, commended SEND-Ghana for supporting maize farmers to identify the problems they face in maize productions.