Stakeholders commit to “kick aflatoxin from food & Animal Feeds” as joint campaign launches.
Drake Nyamugabwa
Various stakeholders in the food value chain and animal feeds coordinated by the Food Rights Alliance (FRA) have kicked a joint campaign dubbed “Kick Aflatoxin from food and animal feeds” aimed at implementing commitments made during the launch of the campaign to ensure safe, health and nutritious food is consumed and traded.
The launch held on Tuesday 26th March 2024 at Namulonge-based NARO/NaCRRI grounds in Gayaza attracted partners and stakeholders including Sesakawa Africa Association, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives, Ministry of Water and Environment, World Food Programme, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Farmers Media, CONSENT Grain Council, Local government officials among others.
Commisssioner Paul Mwambu
While Officiating at the launch, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon Frank Tumwebaze represented by the Commissioner of Crop Inspection and Certification, Paul Mwambu highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address aflatoxin contamination and safeguard public health and economic stability in Uganda.
He emphasized that a multisectoral approach will provide a collective responsibility for ensuring a quality food supply chain.
“I commend FRA and stakeholders for the campaign. There is an urgency to address aflatoxin in food and animal feeds causing risks to agriculture, trade, and the economy. Awareness and control can protect citizens and enhance the competitiveness of products in the market” he said
The Board of Directors Chairperson FRA Uganda, Pamela Ebanyat said "We commit to working together with every Partner, Gov't, and all forms of associations within the food system to fight against aflatoxin while leveraging on every partner’s strength, we shall kick out Aflatoxin from our Food & Animal Feed"
The Director of, the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Godfrey Anseya said that there is a need to commit and take the campaign up country to sensitize the people about the problem, adding that NARO is committed through research to come up with products to be commercialized to farmers and developing new post-harvest resistant varieties to farmers.
Agnes Kirabo
The Executive Director FRA Agnes Kirabo called upon all stakeholders from state and non-state actors to work in a coordinated manner to enhance the already demonstrated initiatives to curb aflatoxin in food and animal feeds.
She said that a food system that guarantees safe and nutritious food is possible with committed tasks after the launch while calling upon partnership support for resources to work with the technical working group.
Kime Henrich
Mr. Kime Henrich, team leader at Consent Uganda highlighted the need for a quality culture in Uganda to combat aflatoxin.
He advocated for policies prohibiting roadside food vending to ensure safety. Ultimately, safeguarding consumer protection is paramount.
CONSENT committed to Community empowerment on the prevention & control of aflatoxin, spearheading advocacy campaigns on aflatoxins, Communicating research findings & implementing research recommendations, and Partnerships for improved food safety among others
The exhibition
