Assessment of adoption gaps in the management of aflatoxin contamination of groundnut Arachis hypogaea L.

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil seed crop of India. It has great potential for diversification to food uses due to its nutritive virtues. One of the major impediment for diversification is aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are the toxic
substances produced by strains of fungi belonging to Aspergillus flavus and A.
parasiticus. The present study was undertaken during the 2005-06, rainy season in
Junagadh, Gujarat, India to assess the adoption gaps in aflatoxin management
practices of groundnut (AMPG) and the farmers characteristics influencing this gap.
The district was selected because it was identified as one of the high risk area for
aflatoxin contamination in rainy season. The results indicated that majority of the
farmers were in high adoption gap category as most of the farmers had not adopted the
harvest and post-harvest management practices. Farmer\'s characteristics knowledge,
market orientation and innovativeness influenced the adoption gap significantly.
Based on the results, it is suggested to formulate strategies to increase the knowledge
of farmers through various extension approaches. The selection of innovative farmers
for groundnut production and differentiating the contamined and afltoxin free
groundnuts by the markets will help in reducing the adoption gap.

Keywords: Groundnut, Aflatoxin contamination, Aflatoxin management,
Adoption gaps.

South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 37 2008: pp. 45-57