AN ASSESSMENT OF THE BENEFITS AND HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF WASTEWATER FOR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

The high demand for fresh vegetables in the Tamale Metropolis has made irrigated vegetables production a lucrative business in the dry season. As many of the farmers have access to only wastewater, the source and quality of the water used for irrigation has become an issue of concern as it poses as serious health risk not only to the farmers but also to vegetable vendors, fast food operators and the consuming public. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits and the health risks associated with wastewater application for vegetable farmers who are using wastewater for irrigation were randomly sampled for the study. Water quality analysis was also conducted to ascertain the level of total coliform concentration. The results show that vegetable production in the metropolis is profitable with a benefit/cost ration of 3.4. The farmers use watering cans (12 litre capacity) for irrigating their vegetables. An average amount of 48 liters of water was found to be applied by all the farmers on a daily basis to leafy vegetables per bed of 2.5m2. Cabbage and lettuce received 4320 litres and 2400 litres of water respectively per cycle of production.