Marco Farina

Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by molds and fungi that especially threaten food crops and grain. They appear in field crops from toxigenic and plant pathogenic fungi during the growing season. Researchers believe that their emergence is mainly the result of poor environmental controls and other crop susceptibility factors. They also account for considerable economic costs to the feed and food industries.

Pesticide misuse is a common problem in agriculture production in Southeast Asia as unsafe amounts of pesticide residues on vegetables are a growing concern for consumers. Improper mixing, spraying and storing of pesticides on farms is also dangerous to farmers and their families.