Kongwa District Commissioner, Hon. Mayeka Simon Mayeka, has urged stakeholders to utilize research findings to educate farmers, consumers, and other participants in the food and nutrition sector on sustainability practices. 

Speaking at the presentation of research results and training aimed at combating crop rust organized by the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology on May 20, 2024, at Veta Kongwa Hall.

Hon. Mayeka commended the researchers involved in reaching over 2,874 households, equivalent to a population of 14,370 individuals, through 52 healthcare centers in Kongwa District.

Furthermore, Hon. Mayeka called upon the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure the full implementation of recommendations arising from the research. 

Prof. Maulilio Kipanyula, Vice Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, highlighted that the research outcomes from the Mycotoxin Mitigation Trial (MMT) project align with findings from other studies, indicating the presence of rust issues in crops within Kongwa District, impacting their quality for human and animal consumption.

The sustainable MMT project, a collaborative effort between the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Kongwa District Council, and the University of Cornell USA, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to address the disease through high-quality research, enhancing food security, and promoting child development.