Soroti Farmers Urged to Utilize Aflatoxin Removal Machine Amidst Contamination Concerns

Farmers in the Soroti region are facing criticism for not effectively using a government-provided machine designed to eliminate aflatoxins from cereals. This issue came to light following concerns raised by Hon. David Okwere, the Bukedea County Member of Parliament, who reported that a staggering 80 percent of cereals purchased by the PELA commodities factory in Soroti were found to be contaminated with aflatoxins.

During a visit to Soroti Industrial Park, where PELA commodities processes grains like millet and sorghum, it was discovered that the high level of aflatoxin contamination poses a serious health risk to the Teso sub-region’s population. Hon. Okwere warned that continued consumption of these contaminated foods could lead to severe health problems, including cancer, and called for immediate intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture.

In response, Minister Muhoozi revealed that the government had invested in an aflatoxin removal machine for the Teso area, but it has remained largely unused since 2018. She stated that the Uganda Development Corporation is now considering privatizing the equipment due to its lack of utilization. The Minister emphasized the importance of local leaders encouraging farmers and communities to take advantage of such resources once they are made available.

Further action is being taken, with the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperative (Industry), Hon. David Bahati, promising to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to dispatch a technical team to Soroti to ascertain the situation on the ground. Aflatoxins are toxic byproducts of specific molds that can contaminate staple foods, particularly in warm and humid climates, and pose significant long-term health risks, including liver damage and cancer.

Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4586/soroti-farmers-faulted-failure-utilise-aflatoxin-removal-machine