Aflatoxin levels and impacts are expected to increase with higher temperatures and increased water stress, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Two key avenues to address this challenge include minimizing contamination in the growing cycle through the use of good agricultural practices and by mitigating toxin development in the postharvest supply chain; and reducing the consumption of contaminated food by diversifying the diet to include more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and animal-source foods, thus reducing the dominance of staples in diets, particularly of maize. Clearly women have substantial roles to play in both of these pathways.

In this webinar, panelists from the International Food Policy Research Institute, USAID’s Bureau for Food Security, Purdue University and an independent consultant will discuss how aflatoxins relate to climate change, gender and nutrition. It will specifically address the following questions:

•           How might aflatoxin levels change for maize and groundnuts as a result of climate change?

•           What are the key nutritional and gendered entry points to address aflatoxins?

•           What are ongoing, key USAID interventions to address this challenge?

The webinar is hosted as part of the Gender, Climate Change and Nutrition Integration Initiative which aims to strengthen integration of climate, gender and nutrition interventions and data for more impactful development outcomes of USAID and partner interventions.