Awareness of Aflatoxin Contamination by Selected Groundnut Producers in Umguza District of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Aflatoxin is one of the harmful mycotoxins produced by a fungus species called Aspergillus with toxic effects to both animals and humans. Aflatoxin awareness should be considered from producers up to consumers to reduce contamination levels and economic losses in susceptible crops such as groundnuts. The level of awareness and demographic dynamics that affect awareness of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut producers was assessed using a structured questionnaire on groundnut farmers in Ward 16 of Umguza district located in Matebeleland North in Zimbabwe. Random sampling was then used to select 50 farmers which was approximately two thirds of groundnut producing farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to determine distribution of socio-demographic variables and test for independence of association between the variables that were assessed. Majority of the interviewed farmers (70%) were aware of the occurrence of aflatoxins in groundnuts but 64% of them were not aware of its causes except the predisposing factors. Gender, level of education and years of experience in growing groundnuts were significantly associated to the level of awareness on aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts. The levels of awareness in the study area are satisfactory and it is recommended that the methods of information dissemination be maintained or even up-scaled. More socioeconomic factors associated with awareness need to be assessed in future research work.