Phytosanitary Practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Survey of 500 Market Gardeners in the Kinshasa and Lubumbashi Cities Between 2020-2021

Abstract

This study involved a survey on phytosanitary practices among 500 market gardeners in the cities of Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Market gardening was practiced by 56.2% of men and 43.8% by women. The average age was 42 ± 8.7 years. Most producers (77.4%) had at least a secondary level of education (Primary School Diploma). Only 9.4% of respondents had been trained in the proper use of plant protection products. Thiodan-Endosulfan, a prohibited and highly toxic substance, was the most widely used product (93%). None of the market gardeners surveyed were using the recommended rates of insecticides. More than half of the respondents did not wear personal protective equipment when preparing and applying pesticides. Empty pesticide packages were most often abandoned in the fields or discarded in the environment (57%). Phytosanitary practices in the DRC are potentially harmful to the environment, the health of farmers and consumers.