The African Development Bank, the Government of Tanzania and the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP) have officially launched the Tanzania Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination (TANIPAC), marking a transformative step in the country's efforts to ensure food safety, protect public health, and strengthen agricultural exports.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan presided over the launch ceremony in Dodoma, which brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, development partners, farmer cooperatives, and international organizations. The event featured demonstrations of best practice in post-harvest handling and aflatoxin mitigation techniques. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by certain types of molds that grow on crops like maize, groundnuts and rice. The initiative is funded through a collaborative partnership: the African Development Bank is contributing $9.2 million, the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP) will provide $20 million, and the Government of Tanzania has committed $34 million. TANIPAC aims to significantly reduce aflatoxin contamination in staple crops such as maize and groundnuts, key staple crops for the country, through improved post-harvest practices, comprehensive farmer training, and deployment of modern storage technologies.
"We cannot talk about food security without food safety,” said President Hassan during the launch ceremony. “TANIPAC is not just a health intervention—it is an economic imperative. Our farmers deserve the tools and knowledge to produce safe, high-quality crops. With TANIPAC, we are empowering them to meet both domestic and international standards."
Transforming Agricultural Livelihoods Across Tanzania
Through improved post-harvest handling, enhanced laboratory infrastructure, and comprehensive awareness campaigns on contamination prevention, TANIPAC ensures that increased agricultural production translates into safe, export-ready food products.
The project, which officially commenced in 2019, has been actively implemented across 18 councils on the mainland and 2 councils in Zanzibar, with infrastructure development, training of farmers, and institutional strengthening.
The initiative is projected to benefit over 60,000 farmers across Tanzania, equipping them with essential tools including metal silos, solar dryers, and moisture meters, while providing comprehensive training on aflatoxin prevention techniques. This investment directly addresses one of the most significant barriers to agricultural trade and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.
"TANIPAC is a landmark initiative demonstrating how strategic investment in food safety can transform livelihoods. By equipping farmers with modern storage technologies and practical training, we are not just preventing aflatoxin contamination—we are opening doors to higher-value markets, increased incomes, and healthier communities across Tanzania," said Philip Boahen, Lead Partnership and Coordinator of the GAFSP Program at the African Development Bank.
The initiative aligns with Tanzania's Development Vision 2025 and its Five-Year Development Plan, reinforcing the country's ambition to lead in food security, nutrition, and agricultural trade across East Africa.
"The launch of TANIPAC represents years of planning, coordination, and commitment to safeguard Tanzanian crops. We are proud to see farmers now accessing tools and knowledge that enable them to produce safe, high-quality maize and ground nuts," said Clepin Josephat, Coordinator of the Project at the Ministry of Agriculture of Tanzania Implementation Unit at the national level. "This project ensures that what is harvested in the fields can confidently reach both local tables and international markets."
About GAFSP
The Global Agriculture & Food Security Program (GAFSP) was created in response to the global crisis in food prices in 2008-2009, to mobilize up to $20 billion for agricultural development and food security. Its Financial Intermediary Fund specifically addresses the underfunding of national and regional strategic investment plans for agriculture and food security, thus contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a supervising entity for (GAFSP, the Bank manages a significant portion of its portfolio, focusing on projects that improve food and nutrition security, and drive development of sustainable agricultural systems. The Bank is currently supervising ten countries: Ghana, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritania, The Gambia, Tanzania, Central Africa Republic, Guinea Bissau.
Source: AfDB