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Mitigating Aflatoxin Exposure to Improve Child Growth in Eastern Kenya

A project by the International Food Policy Research Center (IFPRI) seeks to identify and utilize postharvest and storage technologies to reduce aflatoxin exposure, and studies the impact of reduced exposure on child nutrition. The project will take place in 65 villages in Eastern province, Kenya. http://www.ifpri.org/publication/mitigating-aflatoxin-exposure-improve-child-growth-eastern-kenya

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Young Kenyan Woman Named Recipient of 2013 Borlaug Field Award for Scientific Biological Breakthroughs Combating Deadly Grain Mold

Kenyan food scientist, Dr. Charity Mutegi, is honored for her efforts in reducing aflatoxin contamination in Kenya. Mutegi is leading the development of a biocontrol product used to fight off aflatoxins in maize. The award is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and administered by the World Food Prize. http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/24667/25372/young_kenyan_woman_named_recipient_of_2013_borlaug_field_award_for_scientific_biological_breakthroughs_combating_deadly_grain_mold

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India School Tragedy Raises Questions for Gandhi’s Food Plan

At least 23 children died in India after eating contaminated food served under the free school lunch program. The tragedy raises concern over whether quality and safety standards can be sufficiently monitored and maintained when the new Food Security Ordinance rolls out, which more than doubles the reach of government food subsidies. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/18/us-india-food-idUSBRE96H0HL20130718

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Kenya: Grain Purchase Plan for Machakos

A county government will buy maize from farmers to reduce risks of exploitation from middlemen, as well as to control presence of aflatoxin that is frequently found in home-stored grain. http://allafrica.com/stories/201306110145.html

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Combating Aflatoxin – a Value Chain Approach

Alfatoxin, a cancer-causing fungus, costs Africa nearly $750 million in export losses to the EU each year, and puts an estimated 4.5 billion people worldwide at serious health risk. A UK-based organization called Twin works with farmers in Malawi to raise awareness, share best practices, and build private sector partnerships to improve supply chain safety. […]

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Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets in Africa

The G8 increasingly emphasizes the importance of market linkages for smallholder farmers in Africa. International debates and conversations, captured in two recent reports, focus on 5 priorities for how markets can function better for smallholders. Several organizations on the ground are promoting a market focus, such as FANPRAN, Farm Africa, the One Acre Fund, and others. […]

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IFPRI Strategy 2013 – 2018: Food Policy Research in a Time of Unprecedented Challenges

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) published a strategy report for the next 5 years in food policy research. Their first strategic area is ‘ensuring sustainable food production’, which encompasses reduction of waste within the food system. Read the full report here, or see highlights here. http://www.ifpri.org/publication/ifpri-strategy-2013-2018 Full report: http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/gi40.pdf Highlights: http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/strategy2013hl.pdf

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Food Safety: Train Smallholders to Improve Processing at Farms

The organization Twin is training Malawi farmers on best practices to avoid illness and crop losses caused by aflatoxin contamination of staple food crops. Twin’s initiatives align with a postharvest approach to food security, which addresses the safety and preservation of food already produced. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/apr/30/food-safety-staple-crops-toxins

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Aflatoxin Cited As Major Cause Of Cancer In Africa

A high-level official with the African Union Commission spoke recently about the increasing danger of aflatoxin contamination for Africans. He reported that over 5 billion people in developing countries are at risk, and that 1 in 5 African males suffer from a disease related to aflatoxin contamination. http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v3/read.php?id=MjI3NDI2

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New Global Food Security Report and Public Exhibition

UK Global Food Security (GFS) Research Partnership collaborated with leading experts to produce a new report, “Global Food Systems and UK Food Imports”. Key topics include the need for a better functioning supply chain, reducing food waste, and securing safer foods (Report PDF). http://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/news-events/news/2013/130322-pr-gfs-report-public-exhibition.html

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