Asian Journal of Research and Review in Agriculture

Maize is the most important cereal crop in Ethiopia, but post‑harvest fungal contamination threatens food safety and seed viability. This study aimed to assess smallholder farmers’ knowledge of mycotoxins, their pre‑ and post‑harvest practices, and the consequent impact on fungal load and seed viability. A cross sectional survey was conducted among 60 farmers in four major maize producing districts (Bako Tibe, Ilu Gala, Boricha, and Halaba). 180 maize grain samples were collected at three stages: at harvest, after three months of farm storage, and after six months from local markets. Using the standard blotter method, kernel infection, germination percentage, vigour index, and fungal genera were determined.The survey revealed profound knowledge gaps: 91.7% of farmers had never heard of aflatoxins or fumonisins, 95.0% were unaware of associated health risks, and 100% attributed mould solely to storage pests. Hazardous practices were common: 100% used traditional maturity tests (biting), 51.7% delayed harvest, 80% used manual threshing, 75% did not dry grain, and only 10% used hermetic PICS bags. Kernel infection increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from87.2% at harvest to 99.1% in market samples. Fusariumwas the dominant genus, increasing from 48.7% to 78.4% along the value chain. Germination collapsed from 82% (field) to 46% (market), and vigour index became immeasurable in market samples.The combination of poor knowledge and hazardous practices creates conditions that favour fungal proliferation and destroy seed viability. Urgent interventions awareness campaigns, hermetic storage, moisture-based harvest decisions, and resistant varieties are required.