Aflatoxin has remained a major hindrance to the dignity and safety of grains in the food value chain, leading to loses and posing danger to consumers. As a measure to restore the dignity, Bungoma has acquired a state of the earth Aflatoxin Decontamination Plant, the first ever to be installed in Africa alongside that of Nairobi whose installation has also been completed.
Speaking at Bungoma Cereals Board during the official handing over ceremony, Principal Secretary in the state department of Agriculture Dr Paul Rono said the move for actualize decontamination is in line with good practices in the food industry.
Aflatoxins have been our biggest threat, therefore the plant will supplement our commitment to the right input, right equipment and government good will to grain farmers
he said
Rono says the rapid take off has been facilitated by good partner relationships that exists among the dealers in grains.
He used the opportunity to urge farmers to utilize the fertilizer subsidy by the government citing that their grain is now safe.
“We have planned to procure 12M bags in subsidized fertilizer program this year in a move to hit 60M bags of maize produce and other cereals,” he said.
The project was a partnership where Canadian government pumped in KSH 190M for procurement through Trademark Africa. Speaking to stakeholders pertaining the plant Trademark Chief Executive Officer David Beer said the project is certified and its results will not only be felt in Kenya but across borders in Uganda, Tanzania and East Africa at large.
“Maize, sorghum, rice, oil seeds, spices, groundnuts and the overall goals of food security are now assured,” said Beer.
His sentiments were reiterated by Global Affairs Canada CEO Marcia Colquhoun who affirmed that the plant can eliminate up to 98% of aflatoxin from grain. It should be noted that initially, condemned grain used to go through a vigorous and costly process of disposal upon condemnation with aflatoxin, the decontamination will prove a sigh of relief as grain will no longer be disposed off.
Bungoma was selected due to is proximity to Uganda border point and the grain basket of the Country.
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