EXAGRIS-AFRICA: our interests regarding aflatoxin management

1. EXAGRIS-AFRICA: our interests regarding aflatoxin management January 2014

2. Aflatoxin contaminated peanut:

3. Exagris Africa Limited Business Activities • Production of certified seed of groundnuts, soya, maize and beans. • Grower, buyer and exporter of paprika (export markets regulate aflatoxin limits) • Active major shareholder of Afrinut, to which we aim to supply nuts from outgrowers, the export markets for which are regulated as above. • Development services.

5. EAA commercial operations affected by aflatoxin….contd. • Outgrower groundnut project (linked to the above) • Active major shareholder in Valid Nutrition which is growing local customer for peanut paste with an aflatoxin level of < 4 ppm • Producer of groundnut oil, and an end user of the press-cake • Broiler producer with an interest in utilising groundnut press-cake • An interest in the health of our staff and the communities we are connected with.

6. WHY IS AFLATOXIN MANAGEMENT IMPORTANT TO US? • ExAgris, smallholder farmers and Malawi as a whole need an increase in export crops • A market of over 500,000 mt of groundnuts and 5,000 mt of paprika exists in Europe + additional markets in the region • Aflatoxin contamination is the principle barrier • Groundnuts suitable for smallholder production due to relatively less reliance on imported factors of production compared to tobacco • Rural population health

7. What are we doing about it? • Two donor funded projects aimed or partly aimed at improving access to export markets for smallholder groundnut producers through aflatoxin management • RLEEP- Growing with Groundnuts • AECF- From Field to Factory Aflatoxin Management • Working relationship with PMIL • Continuous staff training on and awareness of aflatoxin as an issue in our farming system

8. Contd…. • Informal trials on estates of various practices to reduce aflatoxin contamination during crop growth and harvesting : a healthy plant is the starting point. • Seeking to develop formal trials of selected technologies, (e.g. micro-organism technology, soil fertility, varietal resistance) with DARS and PMIL • Switched buying system to in shell and introduced grading systems targeting aflatoxin management. • Harvest and post-harvest mechanisation • Participation in MAPAC activities

9. What are the main challenges we can work with MACA /PACA on? • Basically the whole value chain. • Testing protocols • Field testing methods • Specfiic practical agronomic recommendations for both large scale commercial production, and commercialising smallholders, as well as, separately, for the poorest. • Specific post harvest and storage management recommendations • Understanding varietal resistance, direct or indirect, and its potential for aflatoxin management

10. Contd…… • Treatment of groundnut press cake • Looking at what can be done to make groundnut products (and maize) consumed in rural areas safer. • Management of aflatoxin during processing ( Afrinut and Valid Nutrition) • Would presscake with a high aflatoxin content pose any problems as a fertiliser? • How do we make aflatoxin management economically viable?

11. ASPECTS OF BUSINESS SUPPORTED BY DONOR FNDED PROJECTS: • Investment in AFLATOXIN management at key ingress points in the value chain: • Growing • Harvest • Post-Harvest handling, drying and processing • Marketing through…….. • Research, Training and Infrastructure Development

12. E.G. • Research: use of effective micro-organism technology, seed treatments, soil health development, plant populations etc, through the growing stage • Training: smallholder and staff training in identification of correct stage of maturity for harvesting and post-harvest curing • Training: shift towards Nut-In-Shell buying • Infrastructure: centralised buying, shelling, grading and sorting facility

13. jgoodman@exagrisafrica.com265(0)999966528