Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
visually clean food (Olsen, 2006), which is a first step but not su
cient to
avoid contaminated food completely (Mensah et al, 2002).
Impacts or outcomes associated with the work
The study has provided relevant information and advice to city authorities
such as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Metropolitan
Assembly on wastewater use in urban and peri-urban vegetable production in
Ghana. Authorities are aware of the need to have a more holistic approach in
addressing issues related to the use of wastewater in peri-urban agriculture
(UPA) rather than application of 'hard' solutions such as banning the use of
wastewater, which are often impractical and dicult to enforce. In view of
this, the authorities at the MoFA and the Metropolitan Assembly have
requested assistance in the formulation of more appropriate policies on UA in
the future.
Researchers have seen the need to do more research on non-treatment
options for health risk reduction (e.g. CPWF and IWMI on such concepts as
farm risk-reduction techniques, vegetable washing techniques). The results
have contributed to the formulation of the new WHO guidelines on
wastewater use in agriculture which include several non-treatment options for
health risk reduction (WHO, 2006).
Leading farmers and sellers involved in the activities of the study have
become aware of the risks involved in the use of wastewater and are taking
Figure 6.4 Farmer irrigating with lowered watering can
