Economic Analysis of the Choice of Aflatoxin Control Practices Among Maize Farmers in Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, aflatoxin contamination remains a major concern for food safety, agricultural production, and health implications. Kenya has repeatedly experienced cases of acute and chronic aflatoxin poisoning over the years. Farmers respond to such incidents of Aflatoxin contamination using a myriad of agricultural practices that are believed to vary across farmers and regions. This study this study sought to analyze the choice of aflatoxin control practices among small scale maize farmers in Kilifi County, an aflatoxin hotspot in the Coast region of Kenya. The study sought to identify the aflatoxin contamination control practices and assess the factors influencing the number of control practices adopted by small scale maize farmers in Kilifi County. A Poisson regression model was employed on a sample of 270 farmers, selected using a multistage sampling technique. The main aflatoxin control practices used by smallholder farmers in Kilifi County include pre-harvest practices (timely planting, pest and disease control, use of improved maize variety, early harvesting), and post-harvest practices (sorting, proper drying, and use of insecticides and fumigants). The Poisson results show gender and age of the household head, extension services, wealth index and farmers aflatoxin awareness significantly influenced the choice of aflatoxin control practices in Kilifi County. Targeted interventions should be central to aflatoxin control strategies in the County, taking into account the socioeconomic characteristics of the farming households. This will ensure that more farmers are using postharvest practices to complement pre-harvest practices.