Source: CSIR
Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has achieved a major milestone by advancing to the semifinals of the prestigious Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge. Their pioneering project—developing a Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy tool to rapidly screen aflatoxin-resistant groundnut varieties—could revolutionize food safety and agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
The Seeding The Future Challenge, funded by the Seeding The Future Foundation and hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), awards $1 million in grants to transformative food system innovations. CSIR-SARI is among only 36 semifinalists selected from 1,200+ submissions across 93 countries, competing against organizations from Djibouti, Niger, Bangladesh, Kenya, and beyond.
Aflatoxins and the NIR Tool
Aflatoxins present a serious threat to food security and public health. These toxic compounds, produced by the Aspergillus flavus fungus, commonly contaminate staple crops like groundnuts, maize and cereals. What makes them particularly dangerous is that they are carcinogenic, heat-resistant, and a major barrier to agricultural trade. Strict European Union regulations on aflatoxin levels have led to rejection of about 30% of Ghana’s groundnut exports, while contaminated food consumed locally contributes to liver disease, stunted growth in children, and weakened immune systems.
Dr. Leslie Commey, lead researcher at CSIR-SARI, explains the gravity of the situation: “Aflatoxin contamination doesn’t just hurt farmers economically—it’s a public health emergency that demands urgent solutions.”
The NIR spectroscopy tool developed by CSIR-SARI represents a significant advancement in combating this problem. The technology works by using light to non-destructively analyze groundnut samples for two key antifungal compounds naturally present in peanut seed coats: 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and ferulic acid. These compounds show resistance to Aspergillus flavus, and by measuring their concentration, researchers can identify resistant varieties much faster than traditional laboratory methods.
Compared to conventional approaches, the NIR tool offers several important advantages. Traditional methods are slow, often taking days or weeks to produce results, while the NIR system provides real-time analysis. Current techniques typically destroy samples during testing, whereas the NIR method preserves them. The new technology is also more cost-effective, requiring fewer chemicals and less specialized lab equipment, while being capable of processing large numbers of samples efficiently.
The potential impact of this innovation could be substantial. By helping farmers produce aflatoxin-resistant crops, the technology could significantly boost agricultural incomes by meeting strict international food safety standards. It may also reduce rates of liver disease in vulnerable populations and potentially cut post-harvest losses by 50% or more.
Seeding the Future Challenge
The Seeding The Future Challenge features three award levels. Seed Grants of $25,000 each support early-stage innovations, Growth Grants of $100,000 each help scale proven solutions, and the top Grand Prizes of $250,000 each recognize transformative projects with global impact. CSIR-SARI’s competition includes several noteworthy initiatives from across the developing world.
Among the Grand Prize semifinalists, Agro Supply from Uganda has developed ozone technology to detoxify aflatoxin in maize, while ABALOBI in South Africa created digital tools to support small-scale fishers. Nigeria’s D-Olivette is working on AI-powered biodigesters that convert waste to energy. In the Growth Grant category, Boundless Haven Solutions in Djibouti focuses on aeroponic farming for arid regions, and Kenya’s Safe Environment Hub promotes black soldier fly farming to produce organic feed.
Bernhard van Lengerich, founder of the Seeding The Future Foundation, notes: “The diversity of solutions—from Ghana’s NIR technology to Kenya’s insect-based feed—demonstrates how innovation is thriving in the Global South to address critical food system challenges.”
The Seeding The Future Foundation, established by food scientist Bernhard van Lengerich, aims to transform global food systems for improved safety, nutrition and sustainability. The Institute of Food Technologists, an 85-year-old professional organization, brings together researchers, industry experts and policymakers to advance food science. Winners of the challenge gain not only funding but also visibility through inclusion in a Global Innovation Database viewed by organizations like the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, along with networking opportunities with potential investors.