Market Gardening Research Articles

Assessing the Role of Irrigation as an Adaptive Measure to Climate Change Induced Water Insecurity: Case Study of the Market Gardening Sector in Parts of the Northwest and West Regions of Cameroon

Climate change induced extreme weather events are having major repercussions on availability and accessibility to water and water resources especially for farmers across the globe. This is more so for small-scale farmers in the developing world who largely depend on rain-fed agriculture. The market gardening sector in particular is known for its high dependence on suitable weather conditions for adequate productivity. However, in recent years, market garden crop cultivation has been severely threatened by climate change induced extreme weather events such as prolong dry spells, scanty and erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, extreme sunshine and storms. This study was undertaken to understand the role of irrigation as an adaptive measure to climate change induced water insecurity, with focus on the market gardening sector in parts of the west and northwest regions of Cameroon. Data were collected through a survey of 260 market gardeners involved in different irrigation practices geared toward countering water insecurity problems induced by climate change. Findings indicated that water insecurity is induced by extreme weather events such as prolong dryness, scanty and erratic rainfall, extreme sunshine and rising temperatures. A majority of the market gardeners surveyed reported the existence of water insecurity which has led to crop failure in many instances placing them in financial difficulties and seriously hampering their livelihood. Market gardeners were involved in different types of irrigation practices including sprinkler, drip, furrow, and manual with some taking to no irrigation practice. The main factors influencing market gardeners' practice of irrigation in the face of extreme weather induced water scarcity/insecurity were household income, age of market gardeners, educational level, farm size, number of farm plots, proximity to source of water, gender, water requirement of crop, support from government and NGOs, extension services, access to credit, membership in farming group and membership in common initiative group (CIG). Climate change has therefore induced water insecurity forcing market gardeners to indulge in different irrigation practices all year round in a bid to improve crop productivity and reduce recurrent crop failures. On the basis of these findings, the use of more sustainable irrigation methods in order to conserve water and water resources is recommended as this will go a long way to phase out the problem of water insecurity induced by climate change. Policy makers need to craft and implement favorable policies that encourage more market gardeners to adopt sustainable irrigation practices in the face of climate change induced water scarcity/insecurity.

Efficacy of vegetable oil extracts for control of insect pests of tomato in Southern Benin

Pests are a menace to production of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in sub-Sahara Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oil extracts of selected common plants for control of pests of tomato in Benin. The study was carried out on the Togba market garden sites in Benin. The botanical pesticides (Tephrosia purpurea, Ricinus communis, Thevetia neriifolia and Cashew Nut Shell Cold Liquid (CNSL cold) were compared with a biological insecticide (Topbio), a synthetic insecticide (Lambda cyhalothrin) and an untreated negative control. The fish model and the generalised linear mixed or fixed effects model were used to explain the number of caterpillars per plot as a function of the products tested during the different plant phases. Tephrosia purpurea oil, cold CNSL, Topbio and lambda cyhalothrin treatments significantly reduced H. armigera, S. littoralis and T. absoluta populations. The average yields of marketable tomato ranged from 7.20 ± 0.89 t ha-1 for the controls and 21.14 ± 3.56 and 20.46±1.98 t ha-1 for the plots treated with Tephrosia purpurea and CNSL cold on tomato, respectively. Plots treated with the synthetic insecticide lambda cyhalothrin gave the best yields (31.15±3.20 t ha-1). Of all the extracts tested, cold extracted CNSL and T. purpurea oil showed very high larvicidal activity at doses of 10%, compared to R. communis and T. neriifolia oil on the farm. The larvicidal activity of the extracts observed at low doses on H. armigera and S. littoralis larvae seems to offer an alternative advantage for the control of tomato pests.

Processes controlling the organic matter degradation in a tropical coastal wetland: Mboro, Senegal

The Northern coastline, from Kayar to Saint Louis (Senegal) is characterized by a succession of dunes and inter-dunes. Coastal wetlands located in the inter-dunes which bear Organic Matter (OM) rich soil where market garden agriculture is the main activity. These zones locally called “Niayes” are characterized by shallow groundwater table threatened by anthropogenic pressure, climate and environmental impacts. The scientific interest of this research work is to characterize the composition of soil OM to discuss its origin, composition, and diagenetic evolution in this depositional environment of Mboro research site with regard to natural and anthropogenic pressure. Three selected core samples with depth interval of 5 cm aligned in along a slope transect in the Mboro wetland were carried out. Soil OM were analyzed for Particulate OM, C/N, Rock-Eval HI and OI, δ13C, δ15N whereas sediments and water were respectively analyzed for grain size distribution, water contents and redox potential down to 50 cm depth. We have demonstrated through the results a vertical variability in the content, the nature and preservation quality of sedimentary OM with the occurrence of a peat storage zone. The isotopic markers depict a strong contribution of C3 plants, macrophytes and to a lesser extent of algae and microbial organic materials. High concentrations of dissolved nutrients occurring mainly on the surface slope may derive from the use of fertilizers to improve agricultural yields. These results constitute an added value in the scientific knowledge of this sector of the Niaye of Senegal.

Evaluation of the Sustainability of Phoenicultural and Market Gardening Production Systems of the Development in the Ouargla Region (Southern Algeria)

The aim of our work is to study the sustainability of seal and market gardening production systems. This study was carried out in two study areas N'goussa and Hassi Ben Abdellah in the region of Ouargla (Algeria), through 75 surveys in different farms where we elaborated a typology of evolution in order to know the determining elements of the trajectories. The Ouargla region's Farm Sustainability Indicator (IDEA) is important. The assessment of agro-ecological, socio-territorial and economic indicators indicates that the agro-ecological indicator is the most represented by (the indicator of fertilizer and agricultural practices) by 46 out of 100. The work was followed by statistical analyses (using Excel stat) to study sustainability constraints. The results show that the polyculture system (date palm, market gardening, etc.) is the most dynamic in terms of cultivation practices. The market gardening production system is economically profitable in the two study areas due to the evolution of market gardening under shelter. The stability of the seal farming system and its uniqueness indicate that it shows the most signs of sustainability.

Microbiological and Physicochemical Characterization of Irrigation Water in Market Gardening in Korhogo.

Several sources of water are used by farmers without concern for quality, which can have consequences on the health of the consumer of market garden products. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical qualities of irrigation water. Microorganisms were counted using the membrane filtration and incorporation into the agar methods. The physicochemical parameters were measured using multiparameter and spectrophotometric methods. The average values of the physicochemical parameters are between 6.46 and 6.9 (pH), 27.15 and 29.9°C (temperature), 170 and 760 μS/cm (electrical conductivity), 70 and 380 mg/L (total dissolved solids), 3.85 and 77.59 mg/L (nitrates), and between 0.13 and 2.35 mg/L for ammonium. Irrigation water in market gardening is highly contaminated by microorganisms. Loads ranging from 3.64 to 4.35 log10 cfu/100 mL, 2.44 to 3.31 log10 cfu/100 mL, 2.44 to 2.9 log10 cfu/100 mL, and 2.07 to 3.63 log10 cfu/100 mL were obtained for total coliforms, E. coli, fecal enterococci, and sulphite-reducing clostridia, respectively. Mean loadings ranging from 4.95 to 5.98 log10 cfu/100 mL, 1.8 to 2.08 log10 cfu/100 mL, and 1.5 to 1.98 log10 cfu/100 mL were obtained for mesophilic aerobic germs, moulds, and yeasts, respectively. Four different mould strains were identified in irrigation water. These strains belong to the genus Aspergillus. Shallows water was more contaminated with microorganisms. These results show that water should be treated before being used for irrigation; market garden products must be properly washed and disinfected before consumption.

Continuing expansion of Narrow-leaved Cattail (<i>Typha angustifolia</i>) and decline of a provincially rare fen in the Holland Marsh, Ontario

At the time of European settlement, an extensive graminoid wetland existed at the confluence of the East and West Holland Rivers at the southern end of Lake Simcoe, Ontario. However, by 1925, clearing and draining of the marsh for specialty agriculture (i.e., market gardens) had begun and, by the 1940s, ~46% of the wetland had been cleared and another 13% was lost before 2016. Concurrent with marsh conversion has been an increase in Narrow-leaved Cattail (Typha angustifolia) in the remnant wetland. This study documents the change in the Holland Marsh wetland by delineating boundaries between marsh, fen, and shrub communities on aerial photographs taken at ~10-year intervals between 1946 and 2015 and documenting vegetation change along transects running perpendicular to tributaries bisecting the wetland. The extent of fen habitat within the Holland Marsh has been decreasing since 1946 at an average rate of 0.24 ha/year because of increases in both shrub and marsh (i.e., T. angustifolia) communities. Typha angustifolia expansion has been predominantly from along the margins of the Holland River where soil phosphorus concentration is significantly higher than in the core of the fen. Beyond 30 m from the river, vegetation dominance shifts from T. angustifolia to sedges (Cyperaceae). Managing phosphorus loading from upstream land uses will be of critical importance in protecting this habitat, which is rare in southern Ontario.

Farmers' Perceptions of Pesticide and Chemical Fertilizer use in Market Gardening in the Comoé River Watershed in Burkina Faso

Aims: Analyzing farmers' perceptions of the use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers in market gardening in the Comoé Province of Burkina Faso.
 Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out in the watershed of the Comoé River located in Burkina Faso in the western part of Africa. The study covered the period from March 12th to May 25th, 2019.
 Methodology: An individual survey of a sample of 204 market gardeners using synthetic chemicals? was conducted. It was supplemented by field observations. A survey form was designed and the questionnaire was integrated into an application (mWater) for data collection. The data collected was summarized by descriptive statistics.
 Results: Study showed that vegetable producers almost unanimously say it is necessary to use fertilizers and pesticides on their production sites. Some of the producers (18.87%) well? appreciate the use of fertilizers and synthetic pesticides on the sites. Nearly 94% also believe that the use of fertilizers improves soil fertility and helps to increase crop yields.
 As for the precautions taken by the gardeners while using synthetic pesticides, results of interviews showed that 96.57% of them do not use any protective equipment. In general, after treating their farms with synthetic pesticides, vegetable growers wash themselves at water points and clean their equipment in the field. Of all the producers interviewed, nearly 58% wash themselves at water points while 41% do so in the field. Furthermore, almost all the market gardeners (96%) refer to the nearest medical centre in case of symptoms related to the use of synthetic pesticides.
 Conclusion: with a view to the rational use of phytosanitary products and the safeguarding of the ecosystem, it is important to initiate and implement awareness campaigns among the gardeners.

Agrobiodiversity and Sustainability of Oasis Agrosystems in Palm Groves of Sahara and Sahel in Chad

The cultivation of date palm, a pillar of oasis agrosystem constitutes a real source of development in arid and semi-arid zones because of its fruit’s rich in sugars and various products, essential to daily life of the populations. In Chad, date production has experienced a decline since the sixties, in relation to diseases, pests and poorly performing cultivation techniques, environmental factors are major causes of the degradation of phoeniculture as well as insecurity and the phenomenon of rural exodus. In order to assess the potential of oasis agroecosystems based on the date palm in Chad, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out among date farmers of Sahara and Sahel. The cultivars of date palm is mainly cultivated in Sahara in the North of the country where it allows a rich and diversified subsistence agriculture (market gardening, fruit trees, cereals and fodder), which excludes the use of chemical inputs in production. Our study made it possible to highlight an important genetic diversity with more than 200 cultivars, resulting from empirical selection and multiplied by offshoot. In Sahara, date palms cultivars have only one fruit production season per year with satisfactory productivity, an acceptable price and farmers have a good knowledge of cultivation practises. In central part of the country corresponding to the Sahelian zone, oasis agrosystems are also found in basins. The climatic conditions favour two production seasons and the income from the sale of dates from the first fruit production season (April and May) is greater than those from the second production season (June to September). The strengthening of the local knowledge and the extension of palm groves made it possible to increase production and income and would contribute to food security and the maintenance of populations in Chad and more generally in Sahel’s countries.

From the Occupied Parks to the Gardens of the Nation

AbstractEver since the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul in the summer 2013, defending and reclaiming the city parks, market gardens, public squares, and urban forests has become a mainstream act of defiance and a symbolic rejection of an intensifying authoritarianism, neoliberal urbanism, and exclusionary planning practices. Growing interest in the mobilizing capacity of the emerging urban-environmental imaginary, however, has not remained exclusive to the opposition. Rather than dismissing the critique entirely, the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) has most recently embraced the politics of urban greenery and strived to mold it in its own image. This article focuses on the contentious politics of urban greenery in Istanbul and examines how the city's green public spaces have come to proxy a larger struggle over the future of Turkey. By discussing the possibilities, challenges, and limits of the politics of urban greenery, this article examines how the government has attempted to absorb an emerging urban-environmental objection into its fold. To do so, the article traces the genealogy of Istanbul's park politics in the last decade and most specifically focuses on the latest iteration of the urban greenery frenzy: the Gardens of the Nation. By studying how this nationwide urban greenery drive has been designed, promoted, discussed, inaugurated, and used, this article provides an account for the critical role green aesthetics play in conjuring up alternative environmental imaginaries and communities against the backdrop of a populist authoritarian climate.

Study of the Diversity of Nematodes in Vegetable Crops in the Koulikoro Region (Mali)

The market gardening sector is confronted with numerous constraints which weaken and hinder its development. Among these constraints is the importance of plant-parasitic nematodes. For the sustainable management of these worms, a diagnostic evaluation was carried out in two permanent market gardening of Sébéninkoro (Kati) and Koulikoro town in order to determine their diversity. 54 soil samples of 500 g were taken from 3 plots, ie 27 samples per site. Analysis of these samples revealed the presence of 8 genera of nematodes. Among these nematodes, there are nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne very harmful to crops and Tylenchorhynchus. They are common and abundant throughout both sites.

Pesticide contamination of water used for urban market gardening in Bamako (Mali)

The use of natural and synthetic pesticides is increasingly common in developing countries, particularly in pest control efforts to improve crop yields. Misuse of these plant protection products can lead to a loss of efficacy on crops and the development of certain diseases. Among the most widely used insecticides in the world, pyrethroids are generally very fast acting against all insects but are also very toxic to the aquatic environment. In Mali, there are few studies on the risks of these phytosanitary products for market gardening on the health of rural populations and on the environment. It is in this context that we are conducting our research on phytosanitary products intended for various vegetable crops. The objective is to determine the level of pesticide contamination of water used for urban market gardening in Bamako, particularly by pyrethroids. In order to carry out these analyses, we collected water from wells, boreholes, marigots and the Niger River during the dry season and in winter. We chose a solid phase extraction (SPE) for the active substances present in the water. For their separation, we used an Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) chromatograph, which allows a single separation for the active substances present in the water. The analytical results show the presence of cypermethrin residues. Market gardening uses a large quantity of synthetic pesticides, but there is a change in practice with the use of biopesticides, which would eventually reduce the risks for the environment and the health of the applicators.

Perennial Transitions from Market Gardening Toward Mixed Fruit Tree - Vegetable Systems

Perennial Transitions from Market Gardening Toward Mixed Fruit Tree - Vegetable Systems

Impacts of Market Gardening Practices on Environmental Resources: The Case of Irrigable Lands in Bonkoukou (Imanan Rural Municipality, SW Niger Republic)

Due to increasingly extreme climatic conditions in the Sahel, irrigated crops are emerging as imperative innovations for agricultural transformation and resilience. This study is designed to assess the impact of market gardening on soil, water and plant cover in the western Niger Republic. Semi-structured survey data were collected from 78 site operators in the Imanan rural municipality (Filingué, Tillabéry). In addition to the survey, a photographic collection illustrated certain observable facts in the field. The survey shows that the wooden enclosures (70.65% of respondents) around the fields are renewed every year. The impacts are then substantial: deforestation of plateaus, clearing of valleys for new extensions, loss of wildlife habitat, changes in the water flow regime resulting from a geomorphological change in the commune. Itou, the preparation of the planks consumes a lot of water. Thus, the new sinking of water points and the load pressure increase the drawdowns of wells and boreholes in the sites (75.46% of respondents). The frequent spills of waste oil on the sites, as well as the numerous potato storage pits, are among the factors and vectors most likely to contaminate the soils and aquifers of the study area. Market gardening destabilizes the soils and induces regressive erosion as well as area runoff of rainwater on all sites and on the slopes. On the other hand, slash-and-burn practices, drying of branches intended for fences, as well as rain-fed cowpea crops, promote improved physical properties and soil fertilization. To reduce the risks of disintegration and especially of silting up of sites, the study suggests a policy of live hedges and wire fences so that common spaces can be imposed on operators.

Quality of Well Water Used for Market Gardening from Lendeng Area Located in Common of Rufisque (Senegal)

This study analysis was conducted to know the quality of well water around the market gardening area of Lendeng located in the common of Rufisque Est (Senegal). In this study, six groundwater samples were taken near the Lendeng market gardening area. The physicochemical parameters of water such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), iron (Fe2+), chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO3-4) and phosphate (PO3-4) were measured. The analysis results obtained show sulphate and phosphate have the highest levels. These results were compared to drinking water standards from the World Health Organization (WHO). The correlation coefficient ANOVA was applied to the test result of the samples. The statistical study showed that the well water in the market gardening area of Lendeng is not polluted.

Study of Cyanide Contamination of Market Garden and Agricultural Products Grown Around the Samira Gold Mine (Niger)

The term cyanide refers to all the compounds producing the ─C≡N group. It comes from both anthropogenic and natural origins. Its presence in the environment is largely related to gold mining. Cyanide is very scary because of its toxicity causing very deadly environmental consequences. The objective of this work is to study the fate of cyanide and assess its contamination on the environment in the vicinity of a potential source of pollution such as a gold mine. In this study, soils and foods samples from the Samira gold mine and its surroundings in southwestern Niger were collected, analysed and compared with equivalent control samples grown in areas free of any industrial cyanide source. Total cyanide contents in the soils of the Samira site and its surroundings are 2 to 104 times higher than the Canadian standard (0.90 µg g^-1 CN^-) for agricultural soils, while the control soils are almost free of cyanide. These results show a migration of cyanide from the mine tailings to the surrounding area and these soils are unsuitable for any crop. The produced foods on these polluted soils have total cyanide contents 2 to 5 times higher than their controls. These contaminated matrices reveal negative impacts of the Samira mine's gold activities on its immediate environment. Ingestion of these foods would lead to serious health consequences for local populations.

GEOSPATIAL TREND ANALYSIS OF RAIN-FED AND IRRIGATION PRACTICES FOR CROPS YIELD IMPROVEMENT IN KURA AND MINJIBIR, KANO SATE, NIGERIA

One of the advancements in Agriculture in recent time is the boost of crop yield to increase the number of output and feed the growing Nigerian population. The higher the output the less cost of food items and the more the food security. Kano State is one of the focal point not only on rain fed Agriculture alone but in irrigation farming. Irrigation was adopted coupled with soil fertility. most major crops such as Sorghum Bicolor, Maize, Millet, Beans and Groundnuts are typically grown during rainy season, while market garden crops such as Tomatoes, Pepper, Onion and Rice are now cultivated during the dry period in large hectares of land. This study focuses on different crops yield and its spatial distribution; to calculate the total crop yield per hectare and ascertain the duration of bumper harvest using trend analysis and normal probability. The result indicated more turn-out of farmers with double output of both rain fed and irrigation crops from 2019 and 2020 in two major local government area of Kano State Nigeria

Balancing urban agriculture with sustaining ecosystem services

AbstractUrban agricultural systems are a prominent social–ecological system in cities and towns across the world. The multifunctional nature of urban agriculture engenders many benefits to urban residents, from food provision to social cohesion. In addition, many environmental services such as climate regulation and habitat for urban wildlife are supported by these agroecosystems. Both local to landscape management factors including plant diversity and ground cover management influence the provision of ecosystem services. Yet, the management decisions may create trade-offs between and among ecosystem services with the increase in one service potentially reducing the ability of the system to provide another service at a desired level. While there are some services that practitioners may not care to lose as much, for other services, the maintenance of a service will be important, based on the goals of the system. Thus, balancing and sustaining ecosystem services must be carefully considered in ecosystem management decisions. Here, we review ecosystem services (ES) within urban agriculture (UA) with a focus on residential, community, and market garden systems, and how local to landscape management influence ES provision. In addition, we evaluate trade-offs between and across services, for example, between provisioning services (food production) versus other environmental services (regulating, supporting). Finally, we highlight future research directions on ecosystem services and the trade-offs for sustainable urban food production, biodiversity, and natural resource conservation.

Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Some Market Garden Crops in Santa, North West Cameroon

The increased use of pesticides in crop production, especially in Santa, has left consumers with great fear and uncertainty regarding the fate of residues after consumption in the human body. This study was aimed at performing a multi-residue analysis of crop samples to detect and quantify pesticide residues present, and thus determine their level of contamination. Twelve (12) crop samples (4 samples each of Solanum tuberosum (Irish potato), Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Capsicum annum (sweet pepper) and Apium graveolens (celery)), were randomly collected from four villages in Santa. The samples were analyzed using the QuEChERS Buffered AOAC 2007.01 method. The results showed the presence of pesticide residues in 58.3% of the samples. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos insecticides were detected, though cypermethrin was found in traces. After quantification, the concentration of chlorpyrifos was determined to be far above the CODEX Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in 28.6% of the samples. Samples with this high concentration of chlorpyrifos were: tomato from Pinyin and Baligham (2.0 and 1.8 μg/g respectively), whereas the Codex MRLs for tomato is 1.0 μg/g. This study raised concerns on the contamination of some garden crops by pesticide residues and calls for the assessment of the health situation of consumers and the analysis of pesticide residues in drinking water resources in this area.

Varying Effects of Organic Waste Products on Yields of Market Garden Crops in a 4-Year Field Experiment under Tropical Conditions

Controlling organic and mineral fertilisation is a major concern in tropical environments. An experiment was conducted on an arenosol in the Dakar region, the main market gardening area of Senegal, to evaluate treatments commonly used by farmers. Seven treatments were repeated three times: A mineral fertilisation (MF) treatment based on N-P2O5-K2O (10-10-20), and three organic treatments at two doses (dried sewage sludge (SS), poultry litter (PL) and a digestate from an anaerobic digestion (AD) of cow manures). Each of the organic treatments were supplemented with a normal dose (1) and a double dose (2) of mineral N and K fertiliser. A lettuce, carrot and tomato rotation was grown in four campaigns (2016–2020) on all of the plots. Yields of all three crops in all of the organic treatments were statistically similar (p > 0.05) to the MF in all four campaigns, except for the yield of the lettuce crop under treatment PL-2 in campaigns 2 and 3. The tomato yields were statistically similar under all of the organic treatments in all four campaigns. In contrast, the yields of the lettuce and carrot crops differed statistically from each other and under the different organic treatments in all four campaigns. The yields of all three crops differed in the campaigns with the fertilisation treatment. In each campaign, the yields of each crop were not correlated with the total amounts of N, P and K applied. These differences or similarities in yields are explained by the nature of the organic waste products, the accumulation of nutrients after several applications, the type of crop and interannual differences in temperature.

Assessment of the contamination of Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) by pesticides: Case of market gardeners in Ouagadougou

Background and Aim: The use of pesticides in vegetable production can cause public health problems because these agrochemicals can leave residues in foodstuffs and disrupt the appropriate functioning of the organism. The aim of this study was to assess the level of contamination of lettuce and tomato by pesticide residues. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted from February 12 to May 3, 2021, in concerned five market gardening sites in the city of Ouagadougou. A survey was conducted among 58 market gardeners selected at random from the sites of Boulmiougou, Tanghin No. 1 and 2, Bissigin, and the National School of Public Health. Simultaneously, 25 lettuce samples and 25 tomato samples were collected in a randomized manner for the examination and determination of pesticide residues using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method. Results: The market gardening population was predominantly represented by women who had a low level of education. The cultivated species were a mixture of exotic cultures and traditional cultures. These crops were treated with various pesticides, the most common of which belonged to the organochlorine family. The tomato was the crop most contaminated by pesticide residues. However, no active ingredient from the synthetic pyrethroid family was found on lettuce or tomato. Conclusion: Raising the awareness of market gardeners on good practices in the use of pesticides and on alternative methods to synthetic phytosanitary products is of paramount importance for the health of consumers.