Stakeholders’ perception about aflatoxin contamination in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) along the value chain actors in eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Groundnut is an important cash crop for domestic markets as well as for foreign trade in several developing and developed countries. It is also one of the most valuable cash crops in eastern Ethiopia. However, its production is constrained by Aspergillus species, which cause quantitative losses and produce highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical substances known as aflatoxins. The research was conducted with the objective to determine the stakeholders’ perceptions about groundnut qualities with respect to aflatoxin contamination and pre-and post-harvest practices affecting development of aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin contamination. The study was conducted in groundnut growing areas in eastern Ethiopia. Primanry data were collected using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire administered to 165 randomly selected stakeholders. Results: We found that from 165 respondents, 98.7 % farmers and 93.3 % traders disagreed on the indices of groundnut quality assumed of promoting aflatoxin contamination. Conclusions: It is necessary to make concerted campaigns to create and raise perception among farmers, traders and consumers about pre-and post-harvest practices affecting groundnut quality and aflatoxin contamination and high quality maintenance in the groundnut value chain.