REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's corn imports are likely to increase from year to year. Content of aflatoxin in corn production remains an obstacle that needs solution.

Corn aflatoxin level in Indonesia exceeds 500 parts per billion (ppb) and it is not good for poultry feed. Though corn is main carbohydrate source for poultry feed.

Aflatoxin contamination can be avoided by farmers. Secretary of National Corn Board, Maxdeyul Sola said that farmers should not put the corn on the ground after being picked. The corn is put in container.

"Corn can be contaminated by aflatoxin if touch the ground," Sola said recently.

Aflatoxin can harm immune system in animal's body, including ducks, chickens and turkeys. The animal body will be resistant to infection, vaccination failure and mastitis. If this contaminated livestock is consumed by humans for a long time, then it can cause health problems.

Farmers also need to learn the correct process of drying corn. When series of processes is carried out properly, self sufficiency on corn can be achieved. Ministry of Agriculture expects to produce 19.83 million tonnes of corns this year. 

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