A Research Report Submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Bachelor Degree of Economics in Project Planning and Management
Mycotoxin contamination of maize poses a health risk to humans and animals if not properly managed, most important mycotoxins in Tanzania are the aflatoxins, fumonisins, and Ochratoxin. The purpose of this study is to make a critical analysis of the aflatoxins and its effects on maize production. The case study was Kibaigwa which is an administrative ward in the Kongwa district of the Dodoma Region; it was selected to allow in-depth learning from farmers located in the area considering it is an area with a history on aflatoxin outbreak and considering the fact that Kibaigwa there is the central market of maize production in Tanzania. The objectives of this study were to assess farmer's awareness of aflatoxin and its effects on maize production.
A total of 100 respondents were targeted using a purposive sampling technique out of which 88 filled and returned questionnaires. The descriptive analysis involved the use of tables and figures to indicate the frequencies and percentages of the findings while inferential analysis used linear regression analysis to analyze the relationship between maize production and pre/post-harvest measures. The study revealed that farmers in Kibaigwa are aware of aflatoxin but their level of awareness varies depending on demographic factors such as level of education and income levels as the higher the education/income levels the more informed respondents were on aflatoxins. The study found the consequence of aflatoxins was difficulty in selling and reduction in marketable price. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated there is a strong positive relationship between measures taken to combat aflatoxin and maize production with exception to chemical fungicide and using anti-microbial agents implying that the need to use this method would indicate degraded maize production.
The study recommends that education should be provided not only in those areas with prior aflatoxins outbreaks but also in other areas where maize is being produced farmers should be made aware of proper measures to avoid aflatoxin outbreaks. Unnecessary usage of pesticides and anti-microbial agents should be avoided if possible as it might degrade maize production.