Effect of aflatoxin contamination on maize farmers' income in Namutumba sub-county, Namutumba district.
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Date
2025
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Busitema University
Abstract
This study assessed the economic effects of aflatoxin contamination on maize farmers’ income in Namutumba Sub-County, Namutumba District where maize is a major food and cash crop but faces serious contamination challenges that undermine food security, market access, and livelihoods. The problem addressed was the lack of empirical evidence on how aflatoxin contamination directly affects smallholder farmers’ incomes. The purpose was to assess the extent of contamination, its economic implications, contributing factors, while identifying mitigation strategies. The objectives were to evaluate farmers’ awareness of aflatoxin contamination, assess its economic effects on income, and analyze factors and control measures used by farmers. This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design to examine the topic at one point in time. We gathered information from 104 households that grow maize, using surveys and conversations. The data was then examined with basic statistics and by identifying common themes. The results showed that every farmer (100%) had heard of aflatoxin, but very few (only5.8%) understood the safe amounts. This suggests a lack of specific expertise on the topic. Most farmers relied on fellow farmers for information (63.5%), with minimal input from extension services. Key contributing factors included poor drying (26%), inadequate storage (11.5%), and lack of training (only 6% had received formal training). Economically, contamination led to significant losses: average household income loss was UGX 83,000 annually, and total community losses were UGX 8,632,000, mainly through lower prices, buyer rejection, reduced sales volumes, and discouraged investment. Farmers adopted coping strategies such as selling at lower prices, using contaminated maize as animal feed, or discarding it, which only partially reduced losses. Mitigation measures included using resistant maize varieties (46.2%), proper drying (26%), and improved storage (23.1%), though their adoption was limited by financial and institutional constraints. The study concludes that aflatoxin contamination poses a serious threat to food safety and farmer incomes in Namutumba. While awareness exists, inadequate post- harvest practices, limited technical knowledge, and weak institutional support worsen the problem. Addressing this requires a multi-faceted approach involving farmer training, improved drying and storage technologies, affordable testing services, financial incentives for aflatoxin- free maize and stronger government support to protect incomes and enhance maize quality, marketability, and food security.
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Kisambira, D. M. (2025). Effect of aflatoxin contamination on maize farmers' income in Namutumba sub-county, Namutumba district. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.