AN ECONOMIC APPRAISAL OF AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION IN DAIRY CATTLE FEED

Five hunderd and ninety four feed samples and 418 GNC samples collected from fourteen districts of dte state of Kerala were analysed for AFB,. It was found that 47% feed and 53% GNC were contaminated with the toxin above the toxic level of 20 ppb. Presence of toxin above 100 ppb was recorded in 27% cattle feed and 34%. GNC. Among the various Districts, feed samples from Kottayam were highly contaminated (80%) while pathanamthitta recorded lowest incidence. GNC samples from Wayanad were mostly contaminated (81%). Kasargode recorded lowest level of contamination in GNC. Maximum number of samples were contaminated in the dry season of January to June compared to rainy season. Milk yield reduction was calculated on the basis of samples contaminated above the level of 100 ppb and it was found that 333 x 10³ tons of milk was lost during 91-93. This caused loss of Rs. 83.25 crore per year to the economy of the state.