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International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

ISSN Print: 2578-3467 Downloads: 452812 Total View: 4770645
Frequency: quarterly ISSN Online: 2578-3475 CODEN: IJFSJ3
Email: ijfsa@hillpublisher.com
ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.06.004

Eswatini Maize Farmers’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Mycotoxin Management: Implications for Food Safety and Agricultural Development

Ngwenya Siboniso Frank, Diana Marie Earnshaw, Yoseph Assefa*

Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Eswatini, Luyengo Campus, Luyengo M201, Kingdom of Eswatini.

*Corresponding author: Yoseph Assefa

Published: July 18,2025

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the primary staple crop in Eswatini, crucial for food security and livelihoods. However, suboptimal farming and post-harvest practices in the subtropical climate create conditions conducive to mycotoxin contamination, posing risks to human and animal health. This study investigated the perceptions, knowledge, and mycotoxin management practices of 156 maize farmers across Eswatini’s agro-ecological zones using a structured questionnaire. Results revealed that while most farmers (94%) recognized moldy maize as unhealthy, a significant proportion (90.3%) still fed it to animals, and a small percentage (5.3%) consumed it. Post-harvest handling often involved leaving maize in the field, and drying methods varied, with maize cribs being common but field drying also prevalent. Shelling was largely mechanized (84.8%), and selling was the primary post-shelling action (92.7%). Storage durations varied, with longer periods in the Highveld. These findings highlight critical gaps in understanding the systemic risks of mycotoxins and the need for improved post-harvest management and targeted education. Tailored educational programs, strengthened extension services, infrastructure improvements, promotion of safe storage, public awareness campaigns, and further research and monitoring to mitigate mycotoxin contamination are essential to enhance food safety and agricultural development in Eswatini.

Keywords

Contamination; Eswatini; Farmers’ knowledge; Maize; Mycotoxin

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How to cite this paper

Eswatini Maize Farmers’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Mycotoxin Management: Implications for Food Safety and Agricultural Development

How to cite this paper: Ngwenya Siboniso Frank, Diana Marie Earnshaw, Yoseph Assefa. (2025) Eswatini Maize Farmers’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Mycotoxin Management: Implications for Food Safety and Agricultural DevelopmentInternational Journal of Food Science and Agriculture9(2), 60-67.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.06.004