Regional workshop on “Revamping the groundnut value chain of West Africa through aflatoxin mitigation”, 01-02 September 2015

In most West African countries, groundnut is an important crop used in various forms. It is a basic food and cash crop. Its production, processing, and trade are major sources of employment, income and foreign exchange in many West African countries. Unfortunately, since the 1960s, groundnut production and trade have been declining due to various factors; aflatoxin contamination being an important cause of this decline. Many countries in the region would unleash their groundnut sector’s potential if they could effectively tackle the aflatoxin menace. In an attempt to address the problem faced by West African states and bringing potential solutions, PACA organized a workshop on “Revamping the groundnut value chain of West Africa through aflatoxin mitigation”.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

1. Share perspectives on the state of the aflatoxin challenge in groundnut value chains in West Africa and opportunities for intervention
2. Discuss the current policy landscape of West African States in relation to aflatoxin control, food safety as well as trade and identify actions to address gaps
3. Discuss current technological practices for aflatoxin prevention and control and explore new options
4. Review and validate the ECOWAS Aflatoxin Control Action Plan as a step towards facilitating adoption in the region
5. Identify new, and strengthen existing partnership opportunities among national, regional and international stakeholders in aflatoxin management and agree on strategies for mobilizing required investments to support priority activities.

The workshop was held in Dakar, Senegal from 01-02 September 2015. The workshop was jointly organized by PACA Secretariat, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Pan African Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Consortium, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United States Agency for International Development, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the Government of Senegal and other partners.

The workshop summary is available (English; French). The following workshop materials are also available:

• Program of the workshop “Revamping the groundnut value chain of West Africa through aflatoxin mitigation” (English and French)
• Concept Note for the workshop “Revamping the groundnut value chain of West Africa through aflatoxin mitigation” (English; French)
• Scoping Study to Assess the Policy Environment and Capacity for Aflatoxin Control in the ECOWAS Member States (English; French)
• Regional Workshop on the Aflatoxin Challenge in West African States: Communique and Meeting Materials
• Workshop Session 2: Scene-setting Presentations:
  • The groundnut industry: past, present and future; by Richard Awuah, Nkwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
  • The aflatoxin challenge to the groundnut sector in West Africa and intervention opportunities; by Lamine Senghor, La Direction de la Protection des Végétaux, Senegal
  • The economic impact of aflatoxins in West Africa: the case of Gambia, Nigeria and Senegal; by Joseph Ndenn, Iris Consulting, The Gambia; Papa Diedhou, Cabinet Bioscope, Senegal; Olusegun Atanda, McPherson University, Nigeria
• Workshop Session 5: Presentation of the ECOWAS Aflatoxin Control Action Plan by Ernest Aubee, ECOWAS
• Workshop Session 6: Towards Priority Actions; Input Presentations:
  • Technology and best practice solutions for scaling (gaps and opportunities for action); by Ranajit Bandyopadhyay, IITA, Samuel Njoroge, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Peter Cotty, US Department of Agriculture
  • Policy frameworks and regulations for aflatoxin control in West Africa (gaps and opportunities for action); by Kerstin Hell, Independent Expert
  • Who should finance aflatoxin control and why; by Alinani Simukonda, Entry Point Africa

Watch PAEPARD interviews with participants: Dr. Janet Edeme, Head Rural Economy Divison, African Union Commission, and Papa Ousseynou SANE, C.E.O Snambel Production et Distribution.