Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by several Aspergillus species that contaminate various crops. The impact of aflatoxin on the health of humans and livestock is a concern across the globe. Income, trade, and development sectors are affected as well. There are several technologies to prevent aflatoxin contamination but there are difficulties in having farmers use them. In Nigeria, an aflatoxin biocontrol product containing atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus has been registered with regulatory authorities and is now being produced at scale by the private company Harvestfield Industries Limited (HIL). The current study reports results of biocontrol effectiveness trials in maize conducted by HIL during 2020 in several locations across Nigeria and compared to untreated maize from nearby locations. Also, maize was collected from open markets to assess levels of contamination. All treated maize met tolerance thresholds (i.e., <4 ppb total aflatoxin). In contrast, most maize from untreated fields had a higher risk of aflatoxin contamination, with some areas averaging 38.5 ppb total aflatoxin. Maize from open markets had aflatoxin above tolerance thresholds with even an average of up to 90.3 ppb. Results from the trials were presented in a National Workshop attended by key officers of Government agencies, farmer organizations, the private sector, NGOs, and donors. Overall, we report (i) efforts spearheaded by the private sector to have aflatoxin management strategies used at scale in Nigeria, and (ii) deliberations of key stakeholders to ensure the safety of crops produced in Nigeria for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and industries.

We sincerely appreciate all farmers, CBN, FMARD, NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC, FMOH, Value Seeds Limited, MAAN, MAGPAMAN, NGROPPMAN, NSSAN, NGAN, GGPMAN, SOFAN, NASPPAM, Hybrid Feeds, Poultry Association of Nigeria, NAERLS, Technoserve International, GAIN, FMN, One Acre Fund, Palm Valley Limited, Alluvial Agriculture Limited, Olam International, Babban Gona Agriculture Services, CFARAP, Nestle, WOFAN, and Winrock International for their support and participation in this project. LK, RB, and AO-B greatly ...

https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.977789

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Ranajit Bandyopadhyayhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2422-4298

Alejandro Ortega-Beltranhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3747-8094

https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.977789

Plant Production and Health

Aflatoxin; Agronomy; Disease Control; Food Security; Maize; Plant Breeding; Plant Diseases; Plant Health; Plant Production

Aflatoxins; Maize; Biological Control; Plant Diseases; Aspergillus Flavus; Nigeria

Africa; West Africa

Nigeria

Headquarters and Western Africa Hub

Frontiers in Microbiology