The presence of aflatoxins, toxic compounds that are produced by certain molds found in food, has deleterious effects on Nigerians’ health. Evidence shows a correlation between the exposure of children to aflatoxins and the incidence of stunting. Studies also suggest that about one third of global liver cancer cases are attributable to aflatoxins, with 31 percent of them occurring in Africa. This makes liver cancer the top cause of all cancer mortality on the continent. In addition, aflatoxin-contaminated produce constitutes the largest percentage of agricultural commodities from Africa rejected by the European Union.

As part of its effort to support the Government of Nigeria to improve wasting prevention and treatment approaches, USAID Advancing Nutrition is collaborating with multiple government ministries, donor-funded projects, and the private sector to train farmers and agricultural extensionist agents in aflatoxin mitigation practices for groundnuts and other staple crops in all local government authorities (LGAs) of Sokoto, Bauchi and Kebbi States. The training focuses on good agricultural practices during planting, harvest, and post-harvest and serves as an opportunity to link the farmers with major buyers of groundnut for collaboration and income improvement. The trained extension agents and selected farmers will in turn train the farmers within their LGAs. This activity aims to increase the safety of groundnuts in Nigeria for local consumption, develop a local supply for the production of ready-to-use therapeutic foods, and increase the output market potential for producers.