Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest producer of chillies. The country accounts for around 4-5% of global chilli production. Sindh province is where 85% of Pakistan’s chillies are grown, making it one of the biggest chilli-producing regions worldwide. The province is well-known for the town of Kunri, home of the world-famous Dundicut red chillies.
But here, chilli growers face significant agricultural challenges that threaten their livelihoods. One of the biggest problems they face is aflatoxin contamination of their crops.
CABI has teamed up with several organizations to address the issue including:
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Rafhan Maize Products Co. Ltd
The organizations are working together on an important project in Pakistan on regulatory harmonization for maximum residue limits and biopesticides. What sets this project apart is its focus on addressing aflatoxins. Uniquely, it explores the use of a unique biocontrol technology at farm level to reduce aflatoxins in red chillies.
FoodWorld 