The Turkish Government has donated laboratory equipment to support Gambia’s only groundnut oil processing factory to be able to test its products for Aflatoxin.
The equipment and consumables worth about two million dalasi will give the company the laboratory strength to test its products for Aflatoxin.
Aflatoxin affects Gambia’s farming community a lot and often the country’s groundnut products are rejected entry into European markets because of it.
“If we are able to reduce the presence of Aflatoxin in groundnuts, farmers’ incomes will improve because it would mean the groundnut products will have a good price. And also the health risk associated with Aflatoxin will be mitigated,” said Anthony Carvalho, the managing director of the National Food Security, Marketing and Processing Corporation.
Carvalho said the donated equipment and consumables greatly enhance their Aflatoxin mitigation programme.
The presentation ceremony was done by Turkish ambassador to the Gambia, Ismail Sefa Yuceer, and a delegation from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) that recently open office in Banjul.
Yuceer said the Turkish government is please to support Gambia’s drive to ensure food security and safety for its population.
“With the opening of new TIKA office in Gambia, we are hoping our cooperation in many areas will be strengthened,” added Yuceer.
The donated equipment include Afla test columns, fluometer, wash bottles and lot others.