Spices Board moves to check chilli aflatoxins
The Spices Board has launched a major campaign to control the aflatoxin problem in chillies during drying and storage.
By TNN |
KOCHI: The Spices Board has launched a major campaign to control the aflatoxin problem in chillies during drying and storage. The campaign has been launched in the predominantly chilli growing districts of Andhra Pradesh.
The board has taken the decision to launch the campaign based on reports of incidence of aflatoxins in chilli export consignments. The objective of the campaign launched by the Spices Board is to make the chilli farmers aware of the seriousness of the issue and to take control measures.
The campaign has been launched in 4 districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely, Guntur, Prakasom, Warrangal and Khammom from March 2 to 20. Officials from Spices Board will visit these districts to educate the farmers on the need to adopt good cultivation, harvest, drying and storage practices to overcome the problem of aflatoxin in chillies. The campaign will also be done through the electronic and print media. Films on chillies will be telecast through the television channels.
The board has also organised a meeting of the stakeholders consisting of market committees, farmers, traders, officials and scientists. Campaign underscores the necessity to harvest chillies in dry weather and to spread them for drying on the same day of the harvest.
Use of polythene sheets and concrete platforms, improved driers like poly houses and solar driers are also recommended by the board. Chillies are to be dried up to 8% to 10% moisture level. Damage caused by insects can increase the chances of tissues getting infected with harmful fungi subsequently leading to aflatoxin problem.
The board has taken the decision to launch the campaign based on reports of incidence of aflatoxins in chilli export consignments. The objective of the campaign launched by the Spices Board is to make the chilli farmers aware of the seriousness of the issue and to take control measures.
The campaign has been launched in 4 districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely, Guntur, Prakasom, Warrangal and Khammom from March 2 to 20. Officials from Spices Board will visit these districts to educate the farmers on the need to adopt good cultivation, harvest, drying and storage practices to overcome the problem of aflatoxin in chillies. The campaign will also be done through the electronic and print media. Films on chillies will be telecast through the television channels.
The board has also organised a meeting of the stakeholders consisting of market committees, farmers, traders, officials and scientists. Campaign underscores the necessity to harvest chillies in dry weather and to spread them for drying on the same day of the harvest.
Use of polythene sheets and concrete platforms, improved driers like poly houses and solar driers are also recommended by the board. Chillies are to be dried up to 8% to 10% moisture level. Damage caused by insects can increase the chances of tissues getting infected with harmful fungi subsequently leading to aflatoxin problem.
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