DAR ES SALAAM: FOR a country where millions of people depend on maize, groundnuts, sorghum and other staple grains as part of their daily diet, food security is about far more than producing enough food. It is about protecting public health, strengthening the economy, creating jobs and improving the quality of life of citizens.
Yet for decades, aflatoxin has remained one of the most persistent and dangerous threats to Tanzania’s food system. Invisible to the naked eye, the toxin contaminates crops during storage and handling, reducing their market value, threatening export opportunities and exposing consumers to serious health risks.
Today, however, a new wave of hope is emerging through scientific research, biotechnology and digital innovation. Tanzanian researchers are developing practical solutions that could significantly reduce aflatoxin contamination, safeguard public health and contribute to the country’s long-term development ambitions under Vision 2050.
Among the scientists leading this effort is Professor Lilian Kaale of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), whose research team has developed an innovative technological system designed to monitor and control the environmental conditions that promote aflatoxin production in grain storage facilities.
Aflatoxin contamination has long been recognised as one of the most serious food safety challenges facing Tanzania and many other African countries. Scientific studies have shown that consuming food contaminated with high levels of aflatoxins can lead to aflatoxicosis, a potentially fatal condition associated with symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, liver damage, fluid accumulation in the lungs and, in severe cases, death.
Beyond acute illness, longterm exposure to aflatoxins has been linked to liver cancer, weakened immune systems, childhood stunting and malnutrition. These health impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly children and low-income households that rely heavily on staple grains.
The economic consequences are equally alarming. Research conducted by Professor Martin Kimanya and fellow scientists from the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology estimated that Tanzania loses more than 550 bn/- annually due to the health and economic impacts associated with aflatoxin contamination. Across Africa, contaminated agricultural products worth hundreds of millions of dollars are rejected from international markets every year because they fail to meet food safety standards.
These figures demonstrate that aflatoxin is not merely a food safety issue. It is a public health concern, an agricultural challenge and an economic development issue that affects the livelihoods of farmers, traders, consumers and the nation as a whole.
Prof Kaale says her motivation to begin researching aflatoxin emerged from witnessing the devastating effects it was having on communities across Tanzania.
“I realised this was a major problem in our country, not only because it destroys crops but also because of the serious health consequences faced by people who consume contaminated food,” she explains.
Her journey began in 2018 after receiving initial funding of 100m/- from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), following reports of deaths linked to aflatoxin-contaminated food in Dodoma Region. The project later received additional support of about 120m/-from the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), enabling the team to move beyond laboratory research and develop a practical intervention known as the Aflatoxin Sentinel System.
Unlike conventional approaches that detect aflatoxin after contamination has already occurred, this innovative system focuses on prevention.
“Our goal is to prevent aflatoxin production before it happens by continuously monitoring the environmental conditions that encourage fungal growth, such as temperature, humidity and storage conditions,” says Prof Kaale.
The system combines modern sensors, digital communication technologies and an online monitoring platform to track conditions inside grain storage facilities in real time. Whenever temperature or humidity levels rise to conditions favourable for fungal growth and toxin production, the system automatically sends alerts via mobile phone messages. At the same time, it can activate fans or dehumidification equipment to restore safe storage conditions and prevent contamination before it begins.
This proactive approach represents a significant shift in food safety management, moving from reaction to prevention.
The Aflatoxin Sentinel System also demonstrates how biotechnology and digital technologies can work hand in hand to address pressing national challenges. By integrating environmental sensors, data collection tools and automated control systems, researchers have created a smart solution capable of safeguarding food supplies while reducing post-harvest losses.
For a country where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy and a major source of employment, technologies that protect harvests, improve food quality and enhance market access have the potential to generate significant social and economic benefits.
The impact of the project is already being felt beyond research institutions. The technology has been successfully piloted at a TANIPAC grain storage facility in Chemba District, Dodoma Region.
According to TANIPAC Project Coordinator Mr Clepin Josephat, the system has produced encouraging results since its installation.
“The ability to monitor storage conditions in real time has significantly improved grain safety and reduced the risk of aflatoxin contamination,” he says.
Mr Josephat also highlights the importance of collaboration among COSTECH, the Chemba District Council and TANIPAC in ensuring the successful implementation of the pilot project.
“The results demonstrate the enormous potential of this system to improve food safety and protect public health,” he adds.
Beyond the pilot site, awareness campaigns and training programmes associated with the project have reached more than 60,000 farmers across various districts.
Approximately 420 young people have been supported with improved storage technologies, while more than 5,000 individuals have received training on identifying safe grain for domestic and international markets.
These efforts are helping communities understand the dangers of aflatoxin and equipping them with the knowledge needed to reduce contamination risks. According to Mr Josephat, public awareness of aflatoxin-related issues has risen to about 50 per cent, a significant improvement from previous years when knowledge of the problem was extremely limited.
Prof Kaale describes the successful transition of the Aflatoxin Sentinel System from prototype to field operation as one of the project’s most significant achievements. This milestone was marked by the completion of the hardware circuit design, development of a user-friendly web application and successful deployment of the system at the Chemba pilot site.
She notes that the technology has since undergone further improvements, including the introduction of a modular architecture that makes it robust, highly scalable and adaptable to different storage environments.
According to Prof Kaale, preventive maintenance will play a critical role in ensuring long-term reliability and sustainability as the technology expands to new locations.
The project’s success has been strengthened by strategic partnerships. The Chemba District Administration provided crucial data access and logistical support, helping ensure that the technology remained aligned with local needs and operational realities. TANIPAC, meanwhile, offered an invaluable environment for field testing, validation and continuous improvement of the system.
To increase visibility and encourage broader adoption, the innovation was showcased at major national exhibitions, including the Tanga Trade Fair and the Saba Saba International Trade Fair. These platforms provided opportunities to engage policymakers, industry stakeholders and the public, helping to raise awareness of the role that ICT-based solutions can play in improving food safety and reducing aflatoxin risks.
The project has also contributed to building the next generation of scientific talent. Among its achievements was the support of an undergraduate final-year research project focused on aflatoxin estimation using imageprocessing techniques, an initiative that helped strengthen local research capacity while encouraging innovation in digital agriculture and food safety.
Looking ahead, the team has developed strategies to address potential implementation challenges. If adoption is slower than anticipated, efforts will focus on expanding training programmes, intensifying awareness campaigns and strengthening partnerships with farmers and cooperatives. In the event of funding constraints, the system’s modular design will allow phased implementation and gradual expansion without disrupting ongoing operations.
The significance of the research extends far beyond food safety. Tanzania’s Vision 2050 places strong emphasis on building a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, technology, industrialisation and value addition. The development of the Aflatoxin Sentinel System aligns directly with these national aspirations.
By harnessing science and technology to solve a longstanding challenge, the project demonstrates how research can contribute to economic transformation while improving the well-being of citizens.
Prof Kaale believes the technology has the potential to improve food safety, increase farmers’ incomes and strengthen Tanzania’s competitiveness in international markets.
“We should not trade in unsafe food. By using technology to ensure our products meet safety standards, we can increase farmers’ earnings while also boosting national revenue,” she says.
The innovation also creates opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly among young people with expertise in information technology, engineering and agricultural sciences. As Tanzania continues to invest in digital transformation, systems such as this could help build a modern agricultural sector capable of competing in regional and global markets.
While significant progress has already been made, researchers acknowledge that more work remains ahead. Prof Kaale and her team are currently supervising additional studies aimed at finding ways to detoxify grains that have already been contaminated, potentially reducing food losses and protecting farmers from economic hardship.
If successful, these innovations could position Tanzania among the leading African nations in developing comprehensive aflatoxin management solutions, spanning prevention, detection, treatment and recovery.
For now, the Aflatoxin Sentinel System stands as a powerful example of how home-grown research, supported by strategic partnerships and technological innovation, can address national challenges while creating pathways toward a safer, healthier and more prosperous future.
According to the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), regions that have historically shown higher susceptibility to grain contamination are generally those with high rainfall levels, including Songea, Sumbawanga, Katavi, Songwe and Makambako.
However, farmers are increasingly adapting their farming practices and post-harvest handling methods in response to changing weather conditions and climate variability.
During field inspections, NFRA monitors key risk indicators in crops such as maize and rice to identify potential quality and safety concerns. For laboratory verification and compliance testing, the agency works closely with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), which provides technical validation of grain quality and safety standards.