The emergence of commercial fish farming has stimulated the establishment of fish feed factories in Uganda. However, no information is available on the safety of the feed, mainly due to lack of mycotoxin testing facilities and weak regulatory systems. A study was carried out to examine fungal colonization and mycotoxin contamination in fish feed samples (n = 147) of different types collected from nine fish farms (n = 81) and seven fish feed factories (n = 66) in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). Fungi were isolated in potato dextrose agar, grouped into morphotypes and representative isolates from each morphotype were identified based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA sequences. Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and total fumonisin (combinations of B₁, B₂ and B₃; hereinafter named fumonisin) levels in feed samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A wide range of fungi, including toxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides, were isolated from the fish feed samples. AFB₁ was detected in 48% of the factory samples and in 63% of the farm samples, with toxin levels 400 µg/kg, respectively. Similarly, 31% of the factory samples and 29% of the farm samples had fumonisin contamination ranging between 0.1 and 4.06 mg/kg. Pellets and powder had higher mycotoxin contamination compared to other commercially available fish feed types. This study shows AFB₁ as a potential fish feed safety issue in the LVB and suggests a need for more research on mycotoxin residues in fish fillets.

Fusarium wilt (Panama disease), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, remains one of the most destructive constraints to banana production, particularly in smallholder farming systems where management options are limited and the pathogen persists for decades in soil. Despite its significance, there is limited information on field-level disease occurrence and farmer perceptions within affected banana-producing systems in Kenya. This study assessed farmer-reported banana production characteristics, disease occurrence, and perceptions of Fusarium wilt across selected banana-growing regions of Kenya. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 146 banana-growing households across five major banana-producing counties (Bungoma, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Meru, and Taita Taveta). Data were collected on farmer socio-demographic characteristics, farm size, banana varieties grown, planting material sources, pests and diseases observed, and perceived disease severity. Field inspections were conducted to visually assess banana plants for characteristic Fusarium wilt symptoms, including yellowing, wilting, plant collapse, and internal vascular discoloration. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the data and examine patterns across counties and agro-ecological zones. Most surveyed households operated small-scale farms, with over 85% cultivating bananas on plots of one acre or less, and relied primarily on suckers as planting material, reflecting continued dependence on informal planting systems. Fusarium wilt was the most frequently reported banana disease, accounting for approximately 30.1% of farms sampled, although its occurrence varied across counties and agro-ecological zones. Farmers reported varying levels of disease severity and identified multiple pests affecting banana production, indicating overlapping biotic constraints within smallholder systems. This study provides baseline, farmer-derived evidence on Fusarium wilt occurrence within smallholder banana systems in Kenya. The results contribute to ongoing discussions on sustainable banana production and food security by emphasizing the importance of farmer perspectives in disease surveillance, monitoring, and management strategies, including the use of clean planting materials, improved field sanitation, and strengthened extension support for disease management. Key words: Banana; Fusarium wilt; farmer knowledge; smallholders; Kenya; sustainability