Assessment of willingness-to-pay for Aflasafe KE01, a native biological control product for aflatoxin management in Kenya

Abstract

Contamination of key staples with aflatoxins compromises the quality of food and feed, impedes trade, and negatively affects the health of consumers whereas acute exposure can be fatal. This study used the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) on a sample of 480 farmers in counties prone to aflatoxin contamination to assess the willingness to pay (WTP) by farmers for Aflasafe KE01, a promising biological control product for the management of aflatoxin contamination of key staples in Kenya, compare its cost with that of a similar product in use in Nigeria, and determine factors likely to affect its adoption. Four hundred and eighty households from four counties identified as aflatoxin hotspots in Kenya were purposively selected and interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. The mean WTP per kilogram of Aflasafe KE01, using Contingent Valuation Method in the four counties ranged from Kenya Shillings (Ksh) 113 to 152/kg compared to a cost of Ksh. 130/kg, the price of a similar product, Aflasafe TM , in Nigeria. Factors that positively influenced farmers' WTP included information from crop extension services and access to credit. To facilitate the adoption of Aflasafe KE01 or any other biocontrol product in Kenya and elsewhere, there is a need for increased education efforts through extension services to farmers about aflatoxins. Strategies to ensure that the biocontrol product is integrated into the credit scheme of the technological packages to farmers need to be considered.

Contributions of integrated aflatoxin management strategies to achieve the sustainable development goals in various African countries

“…Then, a Technology Transfer and Licensing Agreement (TTLA) is signed with the selected investor. TTLAs ensure that investors will make enough profits but ensuring that the product will be accessible to smallholder farmers at a reasonable cost as determined in willingness to pay studies (Ayedun et al, 2017;Migwi et al, 2020). ATTC works with each investor to transfer the technology know-how, design awareness-raising strategies using digital and conventional tools, develop training materials, and organize advocacy events to sensitize key stakeholders.…”

Willingness to Pay for Hexanal Technology among Banana Farmers in Meru County, Kenya

“…Therefore, increasing a household's income will increase demand for inputs such as hexanal if they perceive it to reduce their losses. [ 45 ] also found out that farmers with high incomes are more likely to pay more for quality and healthier foods while [ 51 ] who studied WTP for Aflasafe in Kenya found out that households with higher incomes were willing to pay higher prices for the biopesticide in order to produce maize free from aflatoxins.…”

Aflatoxins: Food Safety, Human Health Hazards and Their Prevention

“…The Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture monitor food provisions to assurance compliance with stringent directing restrictions first put into place in 1971, in the United States. Under tough procedures before being acceptable into food supply foods adulterated with aflatoxins above the allowable parameters must be renovated [99,100]. Consequently, In the United States, no epidemics of acute aflatoxicosis have been documented.…”