Postharvest handling practices and mycotoxin occurrence along the dried berbere chilli pepper value chain: A case study from Northern Ethiopia

Berbere, the hot pepper spice, is a central ingredient in Ethiopian cuisine. This study aimed to deepen understanding of agricultural and postharvest handling practices incidence aflatoxins ochratoxins at different stages domestic berbere (Capsicum frutescens) value chain Amhara region Northern Ethiopia. The main actors Ethiopia are farmers, assemblers, wholesalers, retailers, industrial processors, consumers. A series semi-structured questionnaires were developed used interview 90 stakeholders from across these learn about their berbere-related activities challenges. Additionally, random sampling method was collect 100 samples (80 whole dry pods 20 powder) focal (harvesting, storage, processing, retail) for analysis determine whether aflatoxin ochratoxin present above maximum recommended thresholds. In region, most farmers typically cultivate on areas 0.5–1 ha farmland. harvest done manually, chilli then spread directly ground sun dry. Such drying increase risk contamination produce by dust, debris, soil-borne fungi. Assemblers purchase sorted variety packed woven polypropylene bags which heaped store rooms. All samples, each stage analysed found test positive mycotoxins, exhibiting levels >20 ppb >2 total ochratoxin, respectively. promotion range integrated pest management actions with improve quality safety within important chains.