Section IV - Concept notes and logical frameworks for action

Concept note agricultural technology development anti transfer working group
Concept note working group on mycotoxin monitoring
Log frame for agricultural technology development anti transfer
Log frame for monitoring mycotoxin occurrence and exposure
Concept note mycotoxins and health working group
Log frame for mycotoxins in child health
Log frame for mycotoxins and human cancers

Concept note agricultural technology development anti transfer working group

C. Snijders (Wageningen, Holland), Chair

Mycotoxin contamination is a pervasive, endemic problem for cereals and groundnuts throughout the growing regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Immediate incremental reductions in crop contamination may be achieved throughout the region through broad modifications to agronomic practices. However, long-term stable amelioration of these problems may require a more sophisticated approach incorporating breeding and biological control methods. In order to obtain meaningful agronomic improvements, specific directed research is required in each agro-ecological zone. This will require an increase in the expertise of national programs in manipulation and experimentation with mycotoxin-producing fungi, through collaboration with international partners and coordinated by international centers. This might be readily facilitated by the development of an African network of mycotoxin agricultural workers coordinated at an international center, and maintained by periodic planning and coordination meetings. This network should link with an already existing groundnuts network and mycotoxin working group. Agronomic procedures relevant to the region should be developed within the network, adapted to specific countries, and transferred to mycotoxin-affected populations. Maize is the most important food staple in the area and is dependent on seed maintained by growers as open-pollinated populations. Long-term, stable reduction of mycotoxin exposure through maize consumption may be achieved through mycotoxin-specific enhancement of the gene pool of locally adapted maize populations. Biological control with atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus offers an opportunity specifically to reduce aflatoxin contamination across afflicted crops. The potential of this technology in Africa should be assessed as such.

Mycotoxin contamination occurs both prior to and after harvest Post-harvest reductions in food quality are severe throughout the region. Research directed to improving field to storage transitions, economically feasible storage improvement, and efficient market transfer are needed. The nations within the region have substantial national programs in agriculture. However, specific training and information exchange mechanisms are needed to establish a regional research program directed at eliminating the burden of mycotoxins. Adaptation of current knowledge of the impact of crop-stress management on mycotoxin contamination to African agriculture should be an important initial goal of the network. Improved knowledge of fungal ecology in Africa will facilitate rapid increases in all facets of this program.

Project Purposes:

1) To achieve widespread cultivation of superior locally adapted maize;
2) To promote adoption of appropriate crop stress management strategies;
3) To promote adoption of improved post-harvest management techniques;
4) To assess the potential for biological control by niche occupancy (Aspergillus).

Concept note working group on mycotoxin monitoring

Ray Coker (NRI, Chatham, UK), Chair

The occurrence of molds and mycotoxins in foods has serious effects on the health and productivity of animals and man; this causes serious economic losses within both domestic and international trade. The potential effect of mycotoxins on the incidence of human disease is an issue of particular importance.

It is proposed that several projects should be implemented that will focus upon the determination of the nature and extent of mycotoxin contamination within the food chain, and exposure levels within the human population.

Project Purposes:

1) To establish a data base on the nature and extent of mycotoxins in foods and on the ecology of biodeterioration;

2) To make recommendations about the 'critical points' where interventions should be focused;

3) To participate in quantifying the linkage between mycotoxin exposure and human disease;

4) To provide effective quality control methods for both domestic and export foodstuffs.

Log frame for agricultural technology development anti transfer

	Measurable Indicators	Means of Verification	Important Assumptions
Developmental goal
Reduce mycotoxin levels in food and mycotoxinconsumption
Project Purpose
1) Cultivation of superior locally adapted maize;	1) Adoption and planting of improved materials;	1) Country registries of varieties	1) National governments have a sustained committment to provide the human resources and public resources for these activities
2) Adoption of appropriate strategies to manage crop stress and to minimize post-harvest deterioration;	2) Crop husbandry practices which reduce stress are used by farmers on a wide scale	2) Extension program materials and records
3) Adaptive trials for biological control of Aspergillus flavus;
4) Farmers adopt currently available post-harvest technologies
Outputs/Results
1) Identified superior locally adapted maize populations;	Research reports and publications	Publications and conference reports from participants in each target country	1) Resistant (or better) germplasm exists;
2) Improved crop stress management strategies;			2) Seed increase and distribution systems are in place;
3) Selection of atoxigenic Aspergillus strains and developed procedures for delivery;			3) Extension mechanisms are available and resources for mycotoxin reduction are allocated;
4) Identified adoptable post-harvest interventions to reduce contamination of grain with mycotoxins			4) Safe, inexpensive methods for biological control can be identified;
			5) Farm economics allow changes in post-harvest management systems
Activities
1a) Development and dissemination of screening methods; 1b) Evaluation of locally adapted maize populations by National Agricultural Programs; 1c) Enrichment of resistance of locally adapted maize germ plasm with outside germplasm sources;			1) Funding and research committment of the National agricultural research systems;
2) Extension campaigns for crop management strategies that are known to reduce crop stress and subsequent mycotoxin build-up;			2) Communications and network establishment;
3a-1) Fungal population genetics training; 3a-2) Survey of Aspergillus populations in target areas; 3b) Selection of effective a-toxigenic strains; 3c) Development of adoptable procedures to apply atoxigenic strains to farmers fields;			3) Mycotoxin and biology laboratories available;
4) Compile information on storage methods, processing, utilization and marketing of maize and groundnuts;			4) Cooperation of people in study areas (store managers, farmers, processors, families, etc);
5) Develop optimal storage pest management methods;			5) Effective extension services and mechanisms available
6) Develop research protocols with NARS for determining constraints to reducing mycotoxins by harvesting methods, drying, and other post-harvest grain managment methods, processing (detoxification), and utilization

Log frame for monitoring mycotoxin occurrence and exposure

	Measurable Indicators	Means of Verification	Important Assumptions
Developmental goal
Mycotoxin monitoring and interventions by African governments to reduce level of exposure
Project purpose
1) Strengthened mycotoxin study facilities in selected countries;	1) A specified number of laboratories will be equipped and functioning with trained personnel;	Yearly meetings of project participants. Joint reports, publications	1) National governments have a sustained committment to provide the human resources and public resources for these activities
2) Information provided to the agricultural and health sectors to facilitate: a) appropriate mycotoxin reduction interventions, & b) the assessment of mycotoxin exposure and impact on pubic health;	2) Reports on relative levels of mycotoxins being consumed in target countries;
3) Information provided to assess the economic impact of mycotoxins	3) Data on prices of commodities in target areas
Results/Outputs
1) Information on the mycotoxic fungi prevalent in maize and groundnuts;	1) Database of mycotoxigenic molds and mycotoxins for targeted areas (400 samples/commodity per country/year);	Publications and conference reports from participants in each target country	1) Appropriate laboratories are available in targeted areas which can be established as reference centers;
2) 'Critical points' in the food chain whrere molds and mycotoxins are prevalent;	2) Ten food commodities, in total, studied within the benchmark populations in the target countries		2) Funding from aid agencies continue to be available for studies in food processing;
3) Data describing the estimated exposure of individuals to selected mycotoxins;			3) Local capital equipment can be maintained, and consumable items can be readily replaced;
4) Data describing the fate of mycotoxins during food processing and toxicity of the final products;			4) Different countries are prepared to collaborate and share resources
5) Data describing relative economic losses due to food deterioration
Activities
1) Improve existing mycotoxin analysis facilities in participating African countries (eg equipment, training);
2) Validate sampling and analysis methods for aflatoxins and Fusarium toxins (eg. fumonisin, DON, zearalanone) in targeted food matrices;
3) Analysis of food chains to identify sampling points in a variety of agroclimatic zones.
4) Collection and analysis of molds for mycotoxicity;
5) Identify 'benchmark' populations to monitor: a) daily consumption of maize and groundnut, b) quantities of foods which are discarded, c) economics of losses, and to estimate exposure to all mycotoxins by combining surveillance and daily consumption data;
6) Disseminate project outputs to groups addressing intervention and public health issues;
7) Determine the chemistry and toxicity of co-occuring mycotoxins and their related degradation products during processing

Concept note mycotoxins and health working group

Gita Ramjee (University of Natal, South Africa), Chair

It is recommended that two project areas be implemented.

Mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, have been shown to cause immuno-suppression in animals and to reduce response to certain veterinary vaccines. No studies of immune status and mycotoxin exposure in children in Africa are available. However aflatoxin exposure is occuring in children and begins in utero. Recently the co-occurrence of aflatoxins and other immuno-suppressive mycotoxins such as the fumonisins in the dietary staple maize has been demonstrated. The impact of this chronic exposure to these toxins on childhood morbidity and mortality should be evaluated. A prospective cohort study of children in two or more centers in Africa is proposed. Children will be recruited into the study from ongoing community health care projects.

Aflatoxin has been established as a high-risk factor for human hepatocellular carcinoma. Fumonisin is associated with high risk of esophageal cancers. Knowledge of the prevalence of these cancers across Africa would identify areas where monitoring of food toxin levels and agricultural interventions should be targeted.

Project Outputs:

1) Identification of factors associated with vaccine failure in children;
2) Definition of contributory role of mycotoxins in child health;
3) Establishment of pan-African data bases on hepatic and esophageal cancers;
4) Establishment the role of mycotoxin incidence on hepatomas and esophageal cancer in Africa.

Log frame for mycotoxins in child health

		Measurable Indicators	Means of Verification	Important Assumptions
Developmental goal
Improved child survival		Reductions in early childhood morbidity and mortality in target countries	International health intervention reports
Project purpose
Increased awareness of role of mycotoxins in child health and nutrition		Mycotoxin management programs are adopted in various countries	Documentation in Pan-African fora	1) Mycotoxins influence the immune status and early susceptibility to childhood diseases; 2) Funding and logistic support to implement control campaigns
Outputs/Results
1) Identification of factors associated with vaccine failure;		Comparative statistics from vaccination programs	Clinical records, growth monitoring data, reports and publications	1) Mycotoxins are important in the nutritional status of communities;
2) Knowledge of patterns of nutritional status;				2) Mycotoxins are shown to interfere with vaccine uptake;
3) Definition of contributory role of mycotoxins in child health				3) Receptiveness of African National Governments
Activities
l several countries in Africa cohorts of children will be selected during vaccination programs and the following measurements recorded:
1) Growth and development;				1) Goodwill and participation of health providers and communities;
2) Number of morbid events;				2) Coordination among researchers;
3) Vaccine response;				3) Established analytical laboratories available;
4) Micronutrient levels;				4) Funding
5) Mycotoxin exposure

Log frame for mycotoxins and human cancers

	Measurable Indicators	Means of Verification	Important Assumptions
Developmental goal
Reduction in the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and esophageal cancer in Africa	Declining incidence rates	Cancer registries Government and community based information sources
Project purpose
Monitor prevalence of hepatocellular and esophageal carcinomas to identify high risk environments	Establishment of causal relationship between mycotoxin exposure and hepatomas and esophageal cancers over a broad geographic area	Pan-regional comparisons of cancer levels and mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs in workshop proceedings and network reports	1) Government programs will be established to reduce the risk factor of mycotoxin loads from human diet
Outputs/Results
1) Cross referencing cancer registries in several countries in Africa;	1) Network of cancer registries across Africa;	1) Compiled registry data;	1) There is a causal relationship between mycotoxin consumption and hepatic and oesophageal cancer;
2) Mycotoxin exposure in conjunction with cancer registry;	2) Enhanced diagnostic capabilities for liver and esophageal cancers in target centers;	2) Improved confidence in output of diagnostic centers via network monitoring;	2) Funding
3) Linkage of cancer & mycotoxin exposure with patterns of consumption of foods such as maize	3) Data-bases of mycotoxin exposure levels developed with current bio-marker techniques corresponding to registry areas;	3) Scientific publication of bio-marker efficacy;
	4) Regional correlation of high cancer risk with dietary load of mycotoxins	4) Pan-regional comparisons of data
Activities
1) Strengthen & set up cancer registries in target countries;			1) Funding to setup and link registry systems;
2) Establish base-line mycotoxin exposure in conjuction w/1);			2) Funding to develop & improve diagnostic capabilities of target clinics;
3) Improve diagnostic capabilities for field screening at target centers;			3) Cooperation of public health systems;
4) Link with agricultural monitoring projects to understand commodity related risks			4) Availability of biomarkers;
			5) Availability of analytical laboratories;
			6) Availability of adequate biomarkers (such as for fumonisin);
			7) Network communications and training capability

© 1996 International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA)