Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction to the stories
It is a basic principle of R4D not to do things alone or in isolation of a larger
context. At different times and places CPWF projects extended the work of
others, filled gaps, raised questions, and sometimes challenged accepted
wisdom. All the CPWF projects outlined in the stories that follow were a part
of a bigger picture, which sometimes involved many people. As the stories
illustrate, much of the CPWF's success was due to the efforts of its partners.
The stories are snapshots told from the CPWF perspective to illuminate
some of the principles discussed in the preceding chapters. Getting to
outcomes involved many people over long periods of time. In the following,
we highlight particular strands of the stories. In so doing, much of the
complexity has been simplified and much of the detail lost. For the benefit of
interested readers who want to learn more about the bigger picture, the
documents from which these snapshots are drawn are cited at the end of each
story.
Research outputs and policy change
Addressing public health issues in urban vegetable farming in Ghana
(PN38, PN51) 2
Using diluted wastewater is a common practice in urban and peri-urban
agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and other low-income countries and is
known to pose health risks. Vegetable growers in and around Accra felt their
livelihoods were threatened by a city by-law banning the use of wastewater for
irrigation. Two CPWF projects (PN38, PN51) were able to build on past work
by local universities in an effort to improve producer livelihoods without
risking consumer health.
Working with peri-urban farmers, researchers came up with simple but
effective solutions such as low-cost water-treatment methods and safer
irrigation practices. Post-harvest measures entailed washing methods and the
use of disinfectants. Sedimentation ponds and sand filtration were tested and
found to reduce helminth eggs to acceptable levels. Lowering the watering
height and using a spray head on watering cans also reduced helminth egg and
coliform counts.
The project helped establish strong working relationships with farmer
organizations and networks of farmers and food sellers. It led to follow-up
projects with WHO, International Development Research Centre, and United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and the founding of the Ghana
Environmental Health Platform. The Platform continues the work started by
local universities and CPWF partners. Project researchers also provided inputs
to the WHO guidelines for wastewater use in agriculture.
In close collaboration with the Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture and
Food Security, researchers initiated a revision of the Accra by-laws banning
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