Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
9
The Health Impacts of Farming on
Producers in Rosario, Argentina
Patricia Silvia Propersi
1
I
NTRODUCTION
The health of a population is influenced by complex socio-ecological processes
characterized by: feedback loops across space and time; social organization
and methods of production, distribution and consumption; and the successive
changes that occur as social forces reach an equilibrium. Birley and Lock
(1999) reported that development projects can sometimes indirectly have both
positive and negative effects on the physical and social environment as well as
on human health. Projects that do not take into consideration the potential
negative impacts on health can transfer hidden costs to the health sector,
placing a burden on health services.
This paper reports the findings of a study that was carried out to determine
the effects of farming conditions on the health of the people who live and work
on the quintas (peri-urban vegetable farms) in Rosario. The city of Rosario
has a green peri-urban belt where agriculture is common. The 2000-2001
horticultural census (FCA-UNR, 2001) recorded 194 agricultural farm units
covering 3663 ha in the peri-urban area around Rosario. These were primarily
family farms which employ peri-urban agriculture (UPA) to produce vegetables
for their own consumption and for market. Vegetable production is done by
family members who, in some instances, engage a number of medieros and day
labourers to assist in various activities (Propersi, 1999). Much work on urban
agriculture (UA) has been conducted in Rosario (see Van Veenhuizen, 2006, for
an overview); however, little has been done on peri-urban farms. A review of
literature found little or no health information specific to urban farmers.
Family-driven farming, mostly horticultural, represents a large and historic
sector in the region. This has influenced settlement patterns (Table 9.1) whereby
a significant number of people, including farm workers and their families, live
on the quintas.
