Pollution and health problems in horticultural production in Harare: The need for improved quality assurance systems.

High inputs to peri-urban horticulture around Harare are thought to be contaminating the food chain and deteriorating the production resource base. This poses severe health risks to consumers of contaminated produce. The sources and levels of heavy metal, pesticide residue and pathogenic contamination are being determined in a three year DFID CPHP funded project. Recommendations will be made of safe production practices and of the most appropriate market-mediated and public sector mechanisms to improve food quality assurance. This will take into account the likely impacts on the livelihoods of major poor producer and consumer groups. Continuous interaction with stakeholders will promote awareness and facilitate uptake.