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Effectiveness of aflatoxin biocontrol: Evidence from Kenyan smallholders under varied levels of technical support

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Listed:
  • Kariuki, Sarah W.
  • Mohamed, Asha B.
  • Mutuku, Urbanus
  • Mutegi, Charity
  • Bandyopadhyay, Ranajit
  • Hoffmann, Vivian

Abstract

Agricultural technologies shown to be highly effective in research trials often have a lower impact when utilized by smallholder farmers. Both heterogeneous returns and suboptimal application are believed to play a role in this efficacy gap. We provide experimental evidence on the impact of a biocontrol product for the control of aflatoxin, a carcinogenic fungal byproduct, as applied by smallholder farmers in Kenya. By varying the level of external support across farmers, we investigate the role of misapplication in the effectiveness gap. We find that the provision of biocontrol together with a one-time training on application reduces aflatoxin contamination in maize relative to a control group by 34 percent. Additional training to the farmers in the form of a call to remind them of the correct time of application in the crop cycle increases the reduction to 52 percent. Our findings indicate that farmers can achieve meaningful improvements in food safety using biocontrol even with minimal training on its use and that additional support at the recommended time of application can strengthen its impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Kariuki, Sarah W. & Mohamed, Asha B. & Mutuku, Urbanus & Mutegi, Charity & Bandyopadhyay, Ranajit & Hoffmann, Vivian, 2024. "Effectiveness of aflatoxin biocontrol: Evidence from Kenyan smallholders under varied levels of technical support," IFPRI discussion papers 2304, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifprid:168192
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lori Beaman & Dean Karlan & Bram Thuysbaert & Christopher Udry, 2013. "Profitability of Fertilizer: Experimental Evidence from Female Rice Farmers in Mali," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(3), pages 381-386, May.
    2. Catherine Larochelle & Jeffrey Alwang & Elli Travis & Victor Hugo Barrera & Juan Manuel Dominguez Andrade, 2019. "Did You Really Get the Message? Using Text Reminders to Stimulate Adoption of Agricultural Technologies," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(4), pages 548-564, April.
    3. Vivian Hoffmann & Christine Moser, 2017. "You get what you pay for: the link between price and food safety in Kenya," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 48(4), pages 449-458, July.
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