Bakary B. Trawalleh a renowned plant pathologist consultant has said that groundnuts are facing a lot of challenges with aflatoxin contamination that affects human health.

Mr Trawalleh made this remarks in an awareness creation campaign on aflatoxin organised by Alliance for Youths in Conflict and Emergency held at Bansang on Thursday November 16 2007 sponsored by ActionAid international The Gambia.

He elucidated that aflatoxin is a poison which affects green legumes specially groundnuts.  He indicated that there are many other mycotoxins caused by the same fungi but aflatoxin is the famous poison as it affects groundnuts which are the chief cash crop in The Gambia.  Mr Trawally asserted that aflatoxin can be found in all level of groundnut consumed.

For his part Karamba Keita, regional health officer pointed out that aflatoxin poison is discovered to be cancerous and is believed that high level of hypostatise in The Gambia is linked to aflatoxins.  He revealed that aflatoxin was first discovered in swine pigs and cattle.

Muhammed Fayinkeh speaking earlier on said groundnuts can only be prevented from aflatoxin if they are properly dry and store.  He noted that aflatoxin has high economic impact.

The ceremony was chaired by Abdou Boye.