On-farm Management of Aflatoxin Contamination of Groundnut in West Africa A Synthesis Report

This report summarizes results from on-farm management of aflatoxin contamination of groundnut activities conducted by ICRISAT and IER in Mali, with funding support from CFC. A number of technologies to minimize aflatoxin contamination were tested on-farm with participation of the farmers in two regions of Mali. The technologies included tolerant varieties, soil amendment using farm yard manure, crop residues and lime as well as best-bet harvesting and drying techniques. Applying these technologies resulted in aflatoxin reduction ranging from 70-84%. More than 50% of the farmers applying the technologies are producing groundnut with tolerable levels of aflatoxin contamination (i.e. < 10 ppb). The technologies are being scaledout in Nigeria and Senegal

Prevalence of afl atoxin contamination in groundnut value chains and strategies to enhance food safety in Mali

Afl atoxin contamination is the most important food safety concern in several important crops and poses a threat to the health of consumers and the economic well-being of poor farmers in Mali. To better understand the prevalence of afl atoxins in groundnut value chains in different agro-ecological zones, investigations were carried out during 2009-10. Groundnuts taken at harvest from 90 farmers fi elds in 90 villages, in three agro-ecological zones, were tested for afl atoxin contamination. We observed the highest contamination, 172 μg/kg, in Kolokani (the most drought prone of the areas sampled) followed by 76 μg/kg and 35 μg/kg in Kita and Kayes, respectively

Mal de Pott cervical révélé par une dysphagie: À propos d’un cas.

La tuberculose est encore endémique dans nos contrées et de modes de révélation multiples. Le Mal de Pott cervical est la localisation rachidienne la plus rare. La compression médullaire, les abcès rétropharyngés et épiduraux en sont des complications graves pouvant engager le pronostic. Nous rapportons un cas de Mal de Pott cervical révélé par une dysphagie due à un abcès rétropharyngé ; chez un patient de 34 ans ayant été victime d’effraction de l’oropharynx par une arête de poisson. Cette observation nous révèle l’une des facettes de la tuberculose

Prevalence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Mali, West Africa

Groundnut is a major source of livelihood for the rural poor in Mali. However, the crop is prone to preand post-harvest aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Therefore, to minimize health related hazards from exposure to aflatoxin contaminated food, information on the prevalence and distribution of aflatoxins (AFB1) in the groundnut value chain in Mali is needed for timely interventions. To this end, a study was undertaken in three districts (Kayes, Kita and Kolokani) to assess aflatoxin contamination in the field and storage. Ninety pod samples in each district were collected from fields (30 villages/district and 3 samples/village) during 2009 and 2010. Pre-harvest contamination was estimated at harvest, whereas samples for post-harvest contamination were collected from granaries of the same farmers at a monthly interval for 3 months. The villages in each district were categorized into safe, acceptable, moderate risk and high risk areas based on pre-harvest AFB1 levels. Kayes recorded more pod samples (77%) within 20 mg/kg of pre-harvest aflatoxins followed by Kolokani (55.6%) and Kita (45.6%) based on 2009 and 2010 mean values. Toxin concentrations at harvest were comparatively less in Kayes during both years. Further, Kayes had more villages under safe and acceptable limits when compared to Kolokani and Kita. Overall, 46 out of 90 villages in the three districts had acceptable pre-harvest toxin limits. Further, 12 villages in Kolokani were in the high risk category. An increase in toxin levels was noticed with period of storage during both years. Comparatively, toxin levels after storage were least in Kayes during 2009. Kayes also recorded less AFB1 levels in 2010 after Kita. Our results indicate that Kayes is relatively safe over Kita and Kolokani in pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination. The reasons for district-wide variations in pre-harvest contamination; and the reasons for post-harvest flare up of the problem are discussed. Further, proper storage of pods at farmers' granaries in Mali is suggested to overcome the problem from reaching alarming levels

Early adoption of modern groundnut varieties in West Africa Working Paper Series No. 24 Socio Economic and Policy

This study investigates the early adoption of modern groundnut varieties in the pilot sites of the Groundnut Seed Project (GSP) in Mali, Niger and Nigeria following government and donors’ investment. Seventeen varieties were disseminated in the pilot sites of the three countries. Uptake has increased significantly during the last three years partially as a result of project intervention. The proportion of area planted with modern varieties has increased by 22% in Nigeria, 12% in Mali and 10% in Niger in the pilot sites since 2003. Farmers using modern varieties have derived significant yield gains of 24%, 43% and 31% over the local varieties in Mali, Niger and Nigeria respectively. The modern varieties had significantly lower per unit cost of production estimated to 9.8%, 11% and 11% in Mali, Niger and Nigeria respectively. The net income derived by adopters is 66% higher than non-adopters in Mali, 73% in Niger and 111% in Nigeria. Relative to household types, income gains are estimated to be less than 20% compared to poor households in Mali, while it is more than 50% in Nigeria. Results from the Logit models indicate that the major determinants of adoption in the three countries include the participation of farmers to on-farm trials, the build up of social capital through the empowerment of farmers’ associations and small-scale farmers at producing and marketing seed. Constraints to adoption remain the poor access and availability of seed of modern varieties, pest and disease pressure in at least two out of three countries. Tobit results indicate that intensification of modern varieties is dependent essentially on seed availability, social capital, exposure to the varieties through farmers’ participatory variety trials

Stakeholder engagement in the development of genetically modified mosquitoes for malaria control in West Africa: lessons learned from 10 years of Target Malaria’s work in Mali

From 2012 to 2023, the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), based out of the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), was part of the Target Malaria research consortium working towards developing novel gene drive-based tools for controlling populations of malaria vector mosquitoes. As part of this work, Target Malaria Mali has undertaken a range of in-depth engagement activities with the communities where their research is conducted and with other stakeholders nationally. These activities were meant to ensure that the project’s activities took place with the agreement of those communities, and that those communities were able to play a role in shaping the project’s approach to ensure that its eventual outcomes were in line with their needs and concerns. This paper aims to conduct a critical assessment of those 10 years of stakeholder engagement in order to identify good practices which can inform future engagement work on gene drive research in West Africa. It sets out a range of approaches and practices that enabled the Target Malaria Mali team to engage a variety of stakeholders, to share information, collect feedback, and determine community agreement, in a manner that was inclusive, effective, and culturally appropriate. These can be useful tools for those working on gene drive research and other area-wide vector control methods in West African contexts to ensure that their research is aligned with the interests of the communities who are intended to be its ultimate beneficiaries, and to allow those communities to play a meaningful role in the research process

Farmer preferences for groundnut traits and varieties in West Africa: Cases of Mali, Niger and Nigeria.Working Paper Series no. 27

Participatory varietal selection trials were implemented in Mali, Niger and Nigeria and were used to assess farmers’ preferences for plant and seed traits of selected groundnut varieties. Using a panel of farmers in every country, plant and seed traits were assessed and found to be statistically associated with the varieties tested. Ordered probit models were used to identify plant and seed traits liked by panelists. Color of the leaves, maturity (short cycle), number of pods, pod size, constriction, pod yield, pod filling and taste were the important attributes explaining farmers ranking for varieties in Mali. In Niger, the color of the leaves, the number of pods per plant, pod filling, pod beak, and pod yield were the most important traits sought by farmers. In Nigeria, plant vigor, plant maturity, plant type, number of pods per plant, pod size, haulm yield and pod yield were the preferred traits. These traits should be used to identify varieties (from large germplasm collections) most likely to be adopted by farmers. Varieties with traits sought by farmers should be promoted and used to build sustainable seed supply systems. Attributes such as color of leaves, pod reticulation and pod beak tend to be overlooked and should be included in future breeding programs Ndjeunga J, Ntare BR, Abdoulaye A, Ibro A, Zarafi MA, Cisse Y, Moutari A, Kodio O, Echekwu CA, Mohammed SG and Micko

Farmer Participatory Evaluation and Dissemination of Improved Groundnut Varieties in West Africa

This report summarizes results from the Farmer Participatory Variety selection and dissemination activities conducted in Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal under the CFC funded Groundnut Seed Project. Thirty-nine (39) new varieties were tested by farmers under their management and resources across the four countries. Out of the varieties tested, 17 were selected based on the farmers’ village level criteria which included high pod and fodder yield, resistance to diseases, taste, oil content, drought tolerance and marketability. More than 30 farmers’ associations and small scale seed producers emerged and are producing and distributing seed of selected varieties in the pilot areas. More than 150 tons of seed of different classes that could cover 100,000 hectares were produced. About 74% of the farmers in pilot sites are using modern varieties and about 67% of the groundnut area is planted with them. Participation of farmers in variety selection is major determinant of variety adoption

Improving obstetric care in low-resource settings: implementation of facility-based maternal death reviews in five pilot hospitals in Senegal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In sub-Saharan Africa, maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity are major problems. Service availability and quality of care in health facilities are heterogeneous and most often inadequate. In resource-poor settings, the facility-based maternal death review or audit is one of the most promising strategies to improve health service performance. We aim to explore and describe health workers' perceptions of facility-based maternal death reviews and to identify barriers to and facilitators of the implementation of this approach in pilot health facilities of Senegal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was conducted in five reference hospitals in Senegal with different characteristics. Data were collected from focus group discussions, participant observations of audit meetings, audit documents and interviews with the staff of the maternity unit. Data were analysed by means of both quantitative and qualitative approaches.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Health professionals and service administrators were receptive and adhered relatively well to the process and the results of the audits, although some considered the situation destabilizing or even threatening. The main barriers to the implementation of maternal deaths reviews were: (1) bad quality of information in medical files; (2) non-participation of the head of department in the audit meetings; (3) lack of feedback to the staff who did not attend the audit meetings. The main facilitators were: (1) high level of professional qualifications or experience of the data collector; (2) involvement of the head of the maternity unit, acting as a moderator during the audit meetings; (3) participation of managers in the audit session to plan appropriate and realistic actions to prevent other maternal deaths.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The identification of the barriers to and the facilitators of the implementation of maternal death reviews is an essential step for the future adaptation of this method in countries with few resources. We recommend for future implementation of this method a prior enhancement of the perinatal information system and initial training of the members of the audit committee – particularly the data collector and the head of the maternity unit. Local leadership is essential to promote, initiate and monitor the audit process in the health facilities.</p

Use of ChAd3-EBO-Z Ebola virus vaccine in Malian and US adults, and boosting of Malian adults with MVA-BN-Filo: a phase 1, single-blind, randomised trial, a phase 1b, open-label and double-blind, dose-escalation trial, and a nested, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

SummaryBackgroundThe 2014 west African Zaire Ebola virus epidemic prompted worldwide partners to accelerate clinical development of replication-defective chimpanzee adenovirus 3 vector vaccine expressing Zaire Ebola virus glycoprotein (ChAd3-EBO-Z). We aimed to investigate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of ChAd3-EBO-Z in Malian and US adults, and assess the effect of boosting of Malians with modified vaccinia Ankara expressing Zaire Ebola virus glycoprotein and other filovirus antigens (MVA-BN-Filo).MethodsIn the phase 1, single-blind, randomised trial of ChAd3-EBO-Z in the USA, we recruited adults aged 18–65 years from the University of Maryland medical community and the Baltimore community. In the phase 1b, open-label and double-blind, dose-escalation trial of ChAd3-EBO-Z in Mali, we recruited adults 18–50 years of age from six hospitals and health centres in Bamako (Mali), some of whom were also eligible for a nested, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MVA-BN-Filo. For randomised segments of the Malian trial and for the US trial, we randomly allocated participants (1:1; block size of six [Malian] or four [US]; ARB produced computer-generated randomisation lists; clinical staff did randomisation) to different single doses of intramuscular immunisation with ChAd3-EBO-Z: Malians received 1 × 1010 viral particle units (pu), 2·5 × 1010 pu, 5 × 1010 pu, or 1 × 1011 pu; US participants received 1 × 1010 pu or 1 × 1011 pu. We randomly allocated Malians in the nested trial (1:1) to receive a single dose of 2 × 108 plaque-forming units of MVA-BN-Filo or saline placebo. In the double-blind segments of the Malian trial, investigators, clinical staff, participants, and immunology laboratory staff were masked, but the study pharmacist (MK), vaccine administrator, and study statistician (ARB) were unmasked. In the US trial, investigators were not masked, but participants were. Analyses were per protocol. The primary outcome was safety, measured with occurrence of adverse events for 7 days after vaccination. Both trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02231866 (US) and NCT02267109 (Malian).FindingsBetween Oct 8, 2014, and Feb 16, 2015, we randomly allocated 91 participants in Mali (ten [11%] to 1 × 1010 pu, 35 [38%] to 2·5 × 1010 pu, 35 [38%] to 5 × 1010 pu, and 11 [12%] to 1 × 1011 pu) and 20 in the USA (ten [50%] to 1 × 1010 pu and ten [50%] to 1 × 1011 pu), and boosted 52 Malians with MVA-BN-Filo (27 [52%]) or saline (25 [48%]). We identified no safety concerns with either vaccine: seven (8%) of 91 participants in Mali (five [5%] received 5 × 1010 and two [2%] received 1 × 1011 pu) and four (20%) of 20 in the USA (all received 1 × 1011 pu) given ChAd3-EBO-Z had fever lasting for less than 24 h, and 15 (56%) of 27 Malians boosted with MVA-BN-Filo had injection-site pain or tenderness.Interpretation1 × 1011 pu single-dose ChAd3-EBO-Z could suffice for phase 3 efficacy trials of ring-vaccination containment needing short-term, high-level protection to interrupt transmission. MVA-BN-Filo boosting, although a complex regimen, could confer long-lived protection if needed (eg, for health-care workers).FundingWellcome Trust, Medical Research Council UK, Department for International Development UK, National Cancer Institute, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Federal Funds from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases