Oura Kouadio, Raphaël
Intra-urban market gardening in the face of increasing demand for vegetables among urban dwellers: Pesticide misuse and health risks in Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire)
- 2024.
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The urbanization of Bouaké has increased the demand for market garden produce that the countryside cannot fully supply. The use of pesticides in urban agriculture is increasing, leading to health complications. This study addresses the conditions of vegetable production, based on quantitative and qualitative data collected from 161 producers and 430 consumers. It shows that cultivation techniques are varied in small areas ranging from 352 m2 to 1,213 m2 in size. Market gardeners overuse pesticides (54.7%) and do not respect the norms of two recommended monthly treatments (71%). In addition, more than 84% of market gardeners do not respect the recommended doses for these products. Although their use helps to control insect pests and fungi and to increase yields, it represents a health risk for producers (54.7%) as well as for urban residents who consume vegetables on a daily basis (14.6%).