Economic costs of aflatoxin contamination in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties of Kenya

Abstract

Aflatoxin resulting from the consumption of contaminated cereals has always been a concern in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to determine the economic costs of aflatoxin contamination in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties in Kenya. A multi-stage cluster sampling using the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) design was used to select clusters and households. Once clusters were identified, households were selected from each cluster using a stratified random sampling method. Questionnaires were developed and pretested to determine their validity and reliability. Majority of the surveyed households associated aflatoxin contamination with an increased cost of farming, and lack of market rejection of their products by the market and brokers. Finally, an increased need for veterinary intervention was also associated with contamination. It was therefore concluded that access to the market remains a challenge to most farmers and this can only be corrected if aflatoxin is managed.