The Long-Term Influence of Agricultural Training on Aflatoxin Levels in Selected Maize Farms in Nandi County, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term influence of the training on aflatoxin levels. Methodology: In this study a comparison in aflatoxin levels was made between farms where training had been done against those that were not. The samples from 30 farms where training had been done and 30 other farms where training was not done were analyzed. Findings: The overall mean total aflatoxin levels were 0.5464 ±0.16124 and 1.1034 ±2.4849 ppb respectively. Despite the low mean total aflatoxin levels, the analysis of the aflatoxin levels between farms where training had been done and farms where training was not done, showed no significant difference with p >0.05. One of the maize samples out of the 60 farms analyzed had a total aflatoxin level of 14.23ppb. There were also numerous samples whose moisture content exceeded the regulatory limits. Additionally, population dynamic and change in attitude had influenced the six year-long term impact of the training. A further comparison between agricultural training and most of the detoxifying methods in use, gives preference to the training over routine decontamination methods as a preventive measure. Therefore, other than wait to detoxify the contaminated maize using the costly methods which hardly remove all the toxins, regular farm trainings are recommended, precisely every planting season to improve consistence in Good Agricultural Practice application and hence aflatoxin mitigation. Unique Contribution to Theory and Policy: This study comprises of the theory of planned behavior, which takes into consideration the quick farm income obtained from tea farming that changed the attitude of some farmers.