Using qualitative market mapping to explore Aflatoxin contamination along the maize and groundnut value chains

The Aflacontrol Project aims to provide evidence-based information on the cost effectiveness of existing control technologies used to reduce the risk of human and animal exposure to aflatoxin contamination in developing countries. It also aims to understand what constraints are preventing these mechanisms from being adopted. In developing countries, more often than not, actors in the maize and groundnut value chains (farmers, traders, processors, and consumers) are unaware of the aflatoxin problem and its potential health risks. A first step in solving the problem, therefore, is to determine the local practices that influence aflatoxin contamination along the value chain, the institutional context which may influence these practices, the reasons for the lack of understanding surrounding aflatoxin risk, and the constraints that prevent risk mitigation efforts.