Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 8.8 Parameters associated with experimental garden vegetables
Flower beds
Parameters
Rotation
1
2
3
PCQ-WW
SGV (cm)
70
56
36
LGV (cm)
23
18
14
MG (kg)
45
36
22
PCQ-FW
SGV (cm)
38
32
25
LGV (cm)
15
16
12
MG (kg)
24
29
11
SLU-WW
SGV (cm)
20
47
40
LGV (cm)
11
16
19
MG (kg)
9
13
16
SLU-FW
SGV (cm)
18
40
44
LGV (m)
10
31
38
MG (kg)
10
12
15
PCQ, compost; SLU, sludge; WW, wastewater; FW, faucet water; SGV, size of experimental
garden vegetables; LGV, leaf length of experimental garden vegetables; MG, mass of vegetables
harvested per standard plant bed (12m
2
).
C
ONCLUSION AND
R
ECOMMENDATIONS
The characteristics of UA in Kinshasa in general, and in the Centre Agricole
de N'djili in particular, were described and analysed to identify constraints on
UA and solutions to promote safe UA. Physical, chemical and bacteriological
characteristics of the water used to irrigate the market gardens were also
determined.
Market gardeners in Kinshasa are grouped in cooperatives distributed
over 32 agricultural centres and they tend to live below the poverty threshold,
although most have some education. Market gardening is an activity that
ensures food security for the citizens and allows the market gardeners to
generate some income. Market gardening helps to reuse wastes: both solid
organic matter through compost and liquid wastes through the application of
wastewater. While this nutrient recycling is positive, due to pervasive
contaminants in the soils and irrigation water, UA can also have a negative
impact on the environment, on farmers themselves and those that consume the
products.
This study shows that market gardeners of the Centre Agricole de N'djili
were exposed to microbial and chemical contamination from the irrigation
water. They engaged in risky behaviour either due to a lack of understanding
of the risks or because they lacked adequate means to protect themselves.
Farmers, however, did not see health as a priority issue for themselves, but
instead highlighted the lack of seeds, lack of fertilizer and lack of financial
support as the main constraints to their livelihood.
