The story

Toxins in food are a serious problem. One, in particular, poses a big threat: aflatoxin. This contaminant exists in maize and nuts and causes serious health problems in animals and humans such as liver cancer. It even causes fatalities. In developing countries, over five billion people risk chronic exposure to food contaminated by aflatoxins.

In Pakistan, aflatoxin in maize poses a severe challenge to economic development and food security. This is because maize is one of Pakistan’s biggest cereal crops and, in some areas, up to 90% of maize contains aflatoxin. A contaminated crop means less food to eat, but also less to sell, which reduces farmer livelihoods. 

In 2019, CABI led a project, Aflatoxin Control in Pakistan, with the aim of reducing aflatoxins in the food chain. Working in partnership with the government of Pakistan and the private sector, CABI researched natural ways to control aflatoxin using biocontrol. This approach sustainably reduces contaminants and pests by using their natural enemies (biocontrol agents) against them. 

CABI and partners focused on the use of a beneficial fungus to control the dangerous aflatoxin. The project identified a native biocontrol agent – non-toxin producing Aspergillus flavus – to tackle the toxin producing Aspergillus flavus on maize crops. With this discovery, the team created a product, AflaPak™, to tackle aflatoxin.

AflaPak™ belongs to a group of natural biocontrol products, which are safer for the environment and human health. In 2021, the team reported that the project had trained farmers in Pakistan how to use AflaPak™. More than 1,000 maize growers in Punjab received training. The project held field trials, during which AflaPak™ reduced aflatoxin levels by 80%, increasing farmer incomes by 25%. 

Aflatoxin control has become a game-changer in Pakistan’s maize production, giving smallholders the ability to grow safer maize and earn greater incomes.