Information, Technology, and Market Rewards: Incentivizing Aflatoxin Control in Ghana

IFPRI Discussion Paper 1878

88 Pages Posted: 11 Nov 2019

See all articles by Nicholas Magnan

Nicholas Magnan

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Vivian Hoffmann

International Food Policy Research Institute

Gissele Gajate-Garrido

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Daniel Akwasi Kanyam

University of the Cumberlands (formerly Cumberland College)

Nelson Opoku

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: October 24, 2019

Abstract

Food safety hazards threaten the health and market access of smallholder farming households. Smallholders face a number of barriers to improving food safety and quality, including low awareness, high input costs, and the failure of premium prices to pass through to producers. In this paper we examine how lifting these barriers affects Ghanaian groundnut farmers’ adoption of low-tech, low-cost post-harvest practices that reduce aflatoxin contamination. We conduct a randomized controlled trial in northern Ghana over the course of two seasons to test three interventions: (1) training on aflatoxin and its prevention, (2) distribution of free drying sheets, and (3) a price premium for groundnuts that comply with local aflatoxin regulations. In the first year we test for effects on post-harvest practices and aflatoxin levels, and in the second we test for effects on aflatoxin levels only. We find that training farmers substantially improves post-harvest practices. Drying sheet distribution and to a lesser extent the premium price lead to further improvements. We find substantial corresponding decreases in aflatoxin levels from drying sheet provision in the study region where background aflatoxin levels were highest. Beyond regional differences, benefits are higher for households with higher aflatoxin at baseline, more members, and young children. The estimated impacts of the price premium intervention are of similar magnitude, but not statistically significant.

Keywords: information; technology; markets; aflatoxins; health; food safety; food quality

Suggested Citation

Magnan, Nicholas and Hoffmann, Vivian and Gajate Garrido, Gissele and Kanyam, Daniel Akwasi and Opoku, Nelson, Information, Technology, and Market Rewards: Incentivizing Aflatoxin Control in Ghana (October 24, 2019). IFPRI Discussion Paper 1878, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3478803

Nicholas Magnan (Contact Author)

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Vivian Hoffmann

International Food Policy Research Institute ( email )

2033 K Street NW
College Park, DC District of Columbia 20742-5535
United States
12028628169 (Phone)

Gissele Gajate Garrido

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Daniel Akwasi Kanyam

University of the Cumberlands (formerly Cumberland College) ( email )

KY
United States

Nelson Opoku

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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