| dc.description.abstract | Kenyas dairy industry plays an important
economic role in the life of farmers, milk
processors, milk traders, feeds manufactures
and traders. This industry contributes
14% of the the agricultural GDP and
3.5% of the total GDP. In Kenya, the dairy
sector, and especially milk production is
exposed to different risk contamination
factors which will not only affect the product
quality but also its innocuity.
Economic costs of aflatoxin contamination
could be split into two categories: direct
market costs and human health costs. Using
agro-ecological zones, five counties in
Kenya- Kwale, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Kisii,
and Bungoma were selected randomly for
this study. For direct costs, questionnaires
were directed to feed retailers, milk producers,
milk traders and feed producers.
Food and feed samples (99 dairy feed, 286
milk, 386 staples (maize, millet, sorghum
ground nuts and cassava) were collected for
laboratory aflatoxin analysis (ongoing) to
estimate the aflatoxin daily consumption
rates in man and dairy cattle.
In the case of health costs, primary and secondary
data is being collected to assess the
estimated cost of aflatoxin in Kenya. Following
Rico-Sole (2012) and introducing
an additional weighting factor related to
the proportion of aflatoxin provided by
milk consumption, the health expenditure
costs related to aflatoxin through milk will
be estimated.
It is possible to assess health costs using
secondary data provided by the national
health statistics in Kenya (health expenditure,
diseases, number of the population,
number of exposed population, etc.) and
fixing values for the remaining variables
on the basis on literature review. However,
the uncertainties about the actual health
impacts of aflatoxin exposure in a population
make it difficult to fully evaluate the
burden. The approach in this study follows
the risks of exposures at different steps in
the dairy value chain and includes consumer
surveys. This will provide increased
knowledge about the risks and a basis for
improved assessments of the costs. | en_US |
