Towards Post Harvest Remedy for Aflatoxin Contamination of Crops Dr. A.O. Oyebanji Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Km 3, Asa-Dam Road, Ilorin Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Causes of Aflatoxin Contamination and detection post harvest Occurrence, field injury, delayed drying, growth and activity of aflatoxigenic moulds Warm tropical climate, high moisture above safe level for long enough to support growth and activity of toxigenic moulds Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Cultural practice factors of high moisture in crops post harvest Inadequate drying – field and open air sun drying Exposed packaging under humid condition (>70% r.h.) - Moisture absorption Improper storage – Insect infestation Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Mouldy Yam Chips in bulk storage in a room Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Bagged Yam Chips placed outdoors during rains Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Reasons and solutions of post harvest problem of aflatoxin? Ignorance – Sensitization and creation of awareness on technical issues of timely harvesting, drying, proper packaging and storage Carelessness – Discipline in monitoring of crop maturity for harvest, proper harvesting, insect infestation control, dryness for packaging and suitability of storage condition lack of access to post harvest facilities –dryer, moisture meter, packaging material and storage structures – Strategy for access High cost of technology and poverty of stakeholders – Support and assistance Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

NSPRI Achievement, Contributions and Recommendations of Control of Aflatoxin in Crops Post Harvest Development of Improved Dryers Establishment and Determination of Safe Moisture Content for crops Recommendation of use of hermetic containers for packaging adequately dried crops to prevent moisture absorption Safe insect infestation control by proper fumigation Prevention of moisture migration Prevention of moisture condensation Prevention of wetting and flooding of crops in stores Technical messages in seminars and training workshops Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Improved Dryers and Storage Structures Improved Crib Solar Tray Solar Tent Multipurpose Dryer Hybrid Dryer Electric Fan Force Cabinet Dryer Hermetic Containers Improved Warehouse Inert Atmosphere Metal Silos Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Solar Trays Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

BEYOND THE SOLAR TRAYS Solar Tent Multipurpose Dryer Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

TOWARDS LARGE CAPACITY DRYING HYBRID DRYER ELECTRIC FAN FORCE CARBINET DRYER Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

HERMETIC CONTAINERS FOR DOMESTIC STORAGE: (METAL AND PLASTIC AIR TIGHT CONTAINERS )

NSPRI RECOMMENDED FUMIGATION PROTOCOL Product should be well dried Load hermetic container half way Put a tablet of phosphine in an envelope Place the sealed envelope in the partially filled hermetic container Fill up the container with remaining produce Seal up container for 5-7days for dis- infestation Fumigated seed stock should be aerated for ambient temperature storage in a dry (less than 70% R.H.) disinfested atmosphere The envelope can be retained in the sealed container for continued protection of produce against insect infestation in storage Remove envelope at desired time for proper disposal Aerated produce is ready for use as food or industrial raw material

Improved Warehouse for Storage of Bagged Chips and Flour Stacked on Pallet Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Inert Atmosphere Silos Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

NSPRI Products Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Conclusion Aflatoxin contamination of crops and products waste the effort at production and value addition in the rejection and wastage Loss of revenue in rejection and regulatory destruction, More money must be spent to detoxify, which is expensive and uneconomical. Aflatoxin detection serves to indicate the poor handling state of the crop in its history and this will not be tolerated in the growing regulation locally and for export. Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Conclusion…. Improvement in education, promotion of the ideals of proper handling, processing and storage of crops and products, as well as improvement in availability and access to improved facilities and funding are steps in the right direction for the control of Aflatoxin in Agricultural Products in Nigeria. The control of problems, effects and implications of Aflatoxin on crops and products through adequate consideration for the technical realities and necessary upgrade of our cultural and post harvest practices would bring economic and health benefits. Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention

Thank you all for your attention Increasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Self Reliance through Adequate Post Harvest Loss Prevention