Tanzania secures US$63M investment to curb aflatoxin, strengthen food safety

TANZANIA – Tanzania has secured a major boost in its fight against aflatoxin contamination in staple crops with the launch of the Tanzania Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination (TANIPAC).

The US$63.2 million program, co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP), and the Government of Tanzania, aims to improve food safety, protect public health, and strengthen agricultural trade.

The African Development Bank is contributing US$9.2 million, the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP) will provide US$20 million, and the Government of Tanzania has committed US$34 million. 

President Samia Suluhu Hassan presided over the launch in Dodoma last week, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, representatives from farmer cooperatives, development partners, and international organizations. The ceremony featured demonstrations of post-harvest handling and aflatoxin mitigation techniques, highlighting the urgent need to protect maize, groundnuts, and rice, crops that form the backbone of both domestic consumption and export trade.

Speaking at the launch, President Samia Suluhu Hassan underscored the initiative’s importance, noting that the significant financing reflects a shared commitment to tackling one of the country’s most persistent agricultural challenges.

“We cannot talk about food security without food safety.TANIPAC is not just a health intervention, it is an economic imperative. Our farmers deserve the tools and knowledge to produce safe, high-quality crops,”she said.

The $63.2 million program is designed to directly benefit more than 60,000 farmers across Tanzania. Investments will provide essential post-harvest tools, including metal silos, solar dryers, and moisture meters, while training programs will equip farmers with knowledge on aflatoxin prevention.

The financing will also support the expansion of laboratory infrastructure to improve crop testing, awareness campaigns to sensitize farmers and consumers, and institutional strengthening at both local and national levels.

Since its official commencement in 2019, TANIPAC has been rolled out in 18 councils on the mainland and two councils in Zanzibar. Progress has included the construction of storage facilities, distribution of improved handling equipment, and farmer capacity-building initiatives.

Philip Boahen, Lead Partnership and Coordinator of GAFSP at AfDB, emphasized the transformative potential of the investment.

 “TANIPAC is a landmark initiative demonstrating how strategic investment in food safety can transform livelihoods. By equipping farmers with modern storage technologies and practical training, we are not just preventing aflatoxin contamination, we are opening doors to higher-value markets, increased incomes, and healthier communities across Tanzania,”he said.

Aflatoxin contamination, primarily affecting maize and groundnuts, has been a recurring problem in Tanzania. Studies show levels frequently exceed safety limits set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards, creating both health and economic consequences. Chronic exposure can lead to liver cancer and impaired child growth, while acute poisoning can be fatal. On the trade front, contaminated crops often fail to meet export requirements, leading to lost revenue opportunities.

Clepin Josephat, Coordinator of the TANIPAC Project at the Ministry of Agriculture, stressed the project’s broader impact.

“The launch of TANIPAC represents years of planning, coordination, and commitment to safeguard Tanzanian crops. We are proud to see farmers now accessing tools and knowledge that enable them to produce safe, high-quality maize and groundnuts. This project ensures that what is harvested in the fields can confidently reach both local tables and international markets.”

By targeting aflatoxin, TANIPAC addresses one of the most significant barriers to agricultural trade and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

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