Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
variables, such as physical ailments, pesticide use and the relationship between
exposure and labour type, have been introduced. Hopefully this will set the
stage for further work on the link between peri-urban farming enterprises and
the health risks implicit in such work.
Labourers on horticultural production farms in the green belt of Rosario
are rarely noticed in society. As such, health risks and dangers associated with
working on peri-urban farms escape scrutiny. An example cited in this work is
the inappropriate use of pesticides, suggesting that awareness-raising
campaigns are needed on the topic of their safe application. Civil society
organizations in Rosario are well placed to be active in these campaigns;
however, appropriate regulations by local authorities are necessary as well.
To affect some changes, communication strategies should be designed in
partnership with educational and technology institutes at the university level, as
well as any primary care centres which are highly integrated with the
community. It would be helpful to review extension programmes in horticulture
and to define a new strategy to increase both the quantity and quality of
produce so as to sustain or develop economic growth. This is particularly
relevant considering the direct effects food production (and food itself ) has on
quality of life. For example, training in organic production methods could be
done in association with increasing knowledge on the appropriate use of
agricultural inputs. The labour of women and children is also often hidden in
UPA and this can lead to increased exposure to on-farm risks.
Working conditions on peri-urban farms do not comprise the worst
employment environment in the area. However, actually procuring more
accurate, detailed information on agricultural workers' working and living
conditions means that more appropriate interventions urgently need to be
designed by the authorities and organizations involved in UPA around
Rosario. The relationship between the organization of agricultural production
and human health represents crucial knowledge which should be incorporated
into the design and implementation of appropriate agricultural extension
programmes.
A
CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This paper is based on the results obtained from Ph.D. research funded by the
AGROPOLIS award programme of Canada's International Development
Research Centre (IDRC). In particular, I want to gratefully acknowledge the
support of IDRC, especially Wendy Storey, who was always available to
answer my questions. I would like to also thank my thesis supervisor, Silvia
Cloquell, and Roxana Albanesi, who helped me focus my work. The
personnel of the primary care centres of the Health Secretary of Rosario
provided valuable support. Last, but not least, special thanks go to Jaime
Breilh, Arturo Campan˜ a, and the entire team of the Health Research and
Advisory Centre in Quito, Ecuador, for their help in broadening my
experience and knowledge of epidemiology.
