Overview

Previous studies carried out in Mayuge and Kumi districts of Uganda in 2000 and 2001 regarding moulds and mycotoxins in maize, found that mould infection and aflatoxin contamination start from the farm and result from a number of underlying on-farm practices. However, there was inadequate information on farmers’ practices in mitigating problems related to moulds and mycotoxin contamination of maize grain. Twenty farmers from Musita and Bugodi villages, Bayitambogwe sub-county, Mayuge district, where previous studies on moulds and mycotoxins had been done, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire in July, 2003 to obtain information on production, harvesting, drying, shelling and storage of maize. Ten farmers were randomly selected and interviewed from each village. Data were analysed using SPSS Statistical Programme. Results indicate that maize is a major food crop in the district and that farmers’ traditional harvest and postharvest practices in the district are inefficient in protecting maize against mould infection and mycotoxin contamination. The findings confirm earlier reports on high levels of maize contamination by moulds and aflatoxins in the district. Therefore, an urgent need is to develop and avail farmers with appropriate postharvest technologies that improve the quality of stored maize grains.