Aflatoxin-safe fields and crops for safer food in Africa
Aflasafe® is a biocontrol technology for aflatoxins management that uses harmless types of the fungus Aspergilus flavus which do not and cannot produce the toxins. The atoxigenic fungi are coated onto ordinary sorghum grain for transferring these innovative biocontrol agents to farmers’ fields. A blue food coloring dye is added to distinguish Aflasafe ® from other sorghum for food or feed use.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
per Ha
Increase in income
Recommended dosage application
Recommended dosage application
Trademark
For Manufacturers:
Aflasafe, a biocontrol product for aflatoxin, is manufactured at scale to ensure profitability and affordability for smallholder farmers. This product enhances crop quality, enables farmers to access premium markets, and increases food safety.
We have granted exclusive manufacturing and distribution licenses in Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, and distribution licenses in Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and The Gambia. There are numerous business opportunities across Africa.
To obtain a license, the following conditions must be met:
Product Development: Complete product development, testing, and registration in the target country or obtain government approval for a product registered in a neighboring country.
Commercialization Strategy: Develop a strategy specific to the country context, including a situation analysis to identify potential sectors for biocontrol adoption, market demand, market size projections, manufacturing plant capacity, cost of construction, sales growth projection, and the viability of constructing a factory versus importing the product.
Investor Forum: Present the strategy at an investor forum, evaluate expressions of interest, shortlist potential investors, and evaluate submitted business plans. The selected investor is granted Aflasafe manufacturing and/or distribution rights through a Technology Transfer and Licensing Agreement (TTLA) with IITA.
Business Plan Implementation: Implement the business plan with technical support from IITA during the start-up and initial stages of scale-up execution.
Process Refinement: Refine and adapt the process in countries where commercial efforts are underway or about to start, using a learning and adapting approach.
Our potential customers include wholesale distributors of bioprotectants, farmer groups working with aflatoxin-conscious companies, development projects, government agencies, and NGOs.
The cost structure involves a $1.2 million investment for the purchase and installation of equipment and construction of a 10-ton per day Aflasafe® production plant. Raw material costs and labor expenses are location-dependent and need to be included in your business plan.
For Resellers:
To successfully commercialize and distribute Aflasafe, a deep understanding of the agricultural situation in the target country is required. This includes having well-established contacts, a country-wide distribution network, extensive reach in the farming community, excellent relationships with different government sectors, and a commitment to promoting a technology that addresses a significant problem impacting health, trade, and income.
Sourcing Aflasafe in bulk, identifying efficient transportation methods, and exploring suitable storage facilities are key to navigating this market. Furthermore, establishing strong partnerships with Aflasafe equipment manufacturers and transportation providers is crucial.
We have granted distribution licenses to partners in Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and The Gambia, and there are numerous distribution opportunities across Africa.
Selling Aflasafe not only provides a valuable product but also fosters closer engagement with users. Your potential customer base includes small local retailers, development projects, producers, and producer cooperatives or associations.
For Users:
The utilization of Aflasafe increases the chances of producing higher quality crops meeting standards, with little to no aflatoxin, all at an affordable cost.
As key partners you need sellers of Aflasafe.
The cost structure, one Kg price of Aflasafe, is set at $1.2-2 USD. The recommended dose is 10 kg per hectare. You need to estimate the profit realized with the use of the product.
Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: Positive medium
Under 18: Positive high
Women: Positive high
Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable
Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement
Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity
Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health
Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility
Water use: Same amount of water used
Country | Tested | Adopted |
---|---|---|
Burkina Faso | Tested | Adopted |
Burundi | Tested | –Not adopted |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Tested | –Not adopted |
Gambia | Tested | Adopted |
Ghana | Tested | Adopted |
Kenya | Tested | Adopted |
Malawi | Tested | Adopted |
Mali | Tested | Adopted |
Mozambique | Tested | Adopted |
Niger | Tested | –Not adopted |
Nigeria | Tested | Adopted |
Rwanda | Tested | –Not adopted |
Senegal | Tested | Adopted |
Sudan | Tested | –Not adopted |
Tanzania | Tested | Adopted |
Togo | Tested | –Not adopted |
Uganda | Tested | –Not adopted |
Zambia | Tested | –Not adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arid | ||||
Semiarid | ||||
Subhumid | – | – | ||
Humid | – | – |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
Last updated on 2 October 2024