High pesticide use among smallholders in Africa south of the Sahara poses risks for health, environment

Africa south of the Sahara is urbanizing rapidly and its real GDP is growing robustly, trends that affect all levels of the food system. Overall demand for food in East and Southern Africa (ESA) is likely to increase by a factor of 3.3 to 9 times in the next 30 years, depending on economic conditions, according to one simulation exercise. Consumers are purchasing more processed, fresh and perishable foods, including meat and horticultural products. This means farmers of fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural crops face rising labor costs and incentives to increase yields and minimize crop damage from pests or competing plants.

Photo taken by Joseph Ntawumeny, Développement des Horticulteurs au Burundi www.adhburundi.org/