Mycotoxin Contamination in Smallholder Maize Production: Farmers' Perceptions, Control Practices, and Influencing Factors in South Africa.

Globally, mycotoxin contamination of maize is a fundamental concern due to significant economic losses and toxic health effects on humans and animals. This study analyses the perceived effects of mycotoxin contamination and the use of control measures among smallholder maize farmers in South Africa using Mbombela as a case study. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 152 registered smallholder maize farmers in Mbombela, South Africa. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire administered by trained enumerators. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses were carried out using SPSS (Version 28). The findings revealed that many farmers had a high perception of the effects of mycotoxin contamination, and the most prominent prevention and control practices were good field management, storage of maize in clean, well-ventilated stores, and proper sorting of harvested grains. Multiple linear regression results revealed that farming experience, media exposure, extension visit, mycotoxin-related training, mycotoxin awareness, and perception index significantly influenced farmers' utilization of mycotoxin prevention and control practices. The study recommended that agricultural professionals develop robust mycotoxin-related training and advisory services to enhance and strengthen farmers' awareness and perceptions, and to promote the sustained use of effective agricultural practices to combat mycotoxin contamination.