TBS urges farmers to adopt food safety practices
MOROGORO: THE Tanzania Bureau of Standards has urged farmers nationwide to adopt the best agricultural practices to combat foodborne diseases and reduce contamination risks in food production.
The standards body is encouraging farmers to focus on proper sanitation, effective pest control, and safe handling techniques to minimize these health risks.
The TBS Senior Quality Control Officer, Mr Kaiza Kilango, said recently at a training session for farmers in Kilosa, Morogoro Region, emphasising the importance of hygiene, effective crop management, and safe handling techniques.
“By prioritising these practices, farmers can safeguard their livelihoods and protect consumer health,” he said.
Additionally, TBS emphasizes the importance of education and training for farmers, providing resources to help them adopt these practices effectively and ensure that the food supply remains safe and healthy for consumers.
This initiative aims to cultivate a culture of safety and quality within the agricultural sector, ensuring that Tanzanian produce meets both national and international standards.
Key practices recommended by TBS include timely land preparation, using quality seeds, appropriate planting and spacing, proper fertilisation and harvesting at the right time, all guided by expert advice.
He warned against placing harvested crops on the ground, where fungi can thrive, advising instead to dry crops on raised platforms and transport them carefully to avoid moisture exposure, which can lead to issues like aflatoxin contamination.
Furthermore, Mr Kilango stressed the need for protective gear against unpredictable rainfall during harvesting, especially given the challenges posed by climate change.
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Once crops such as maize and groundnuts are brought home, they should be dried on tarpaulins or raised platforms and processed using machines that minimise breakage, as broken grains are more prone to contamination.
Proper storage is crucial, Mr Kilango said adding that once adequately dried, maize should be stored in pest-resistant bags or treated with approved insecticides to prevent moisture buildup.
He also recommended sorting out any maize showing signs of aflatoxin contamination during processing.
“If we implement these measures effectively, we will significantly reduce, if not eliminate, aflatoxin and other foodborne challenges in our country,” he concluded.
TBS Senior Quality Control Officer Mr Gerald Magola said that farmers from 15 out of 40 wards in Kilosa District, which produce abundant maize and groundnuts, have received training on avoiding foodborne diseases like aflatoxins.
This effort aims to help communities produce safe crops and access markets both locally and internationally.
Similar training sessions have been conducted in other regions, including Itilima in Simiyu and Urambo in Tabora, as part of a broader initiative to enhance food safety across the country.
