Appraisal of Hygiene Indicators and Farming Practices in the Production of Leafy Vegetables by Organic Small-Scale Farmers in uMbumbulu (Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Abstract

During October, November and December 2011 (when highest sales of Agri-Hub fresh produce are observed), irrigation water, compost, lettuce and spinach sampled from four different farmer cooperatives supplying the local Agri-Hub in uMbumbulu (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) were analyzed monthly for the presence of total and fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli using the most probable number (MPN) technique. The pH values for all irrigation water samples analyzed were within the acceptable range of 6.5–8.5 for agricultural use. Fecal coliform levels were <1,000 MPN per 100 mL irrigation water and <1,000 MPN per g of compost. The vegetables produced by Agri-Hub small-scale farmers met the requirements for total coliforms of <200/g set by the South African Department of Health at the time of sampling. E. coli MPN values for irrigation water and vegetables were below the limit of detection. In addition, the farming practices of 73 farmers were assessed via a survey. The results revealed that more than 40% of farmers used microbiologically safe tap water for irrigation and that trained farmers have a significantly better understanding of the importance of production hygiene than untrained farmers. These results reiterate the importance of interventions that build capacity in the area of food safety and hygiene of small-scale farmers for market access of formal value chains.

Evaluation of the Microbiological Quality of Conventional and Organic Leafy Greens at the Time of Purchase from Retail Markets in Alexandria, Egypt

“…Therefore, this experiment was carried out to document some hygienic practices of farm irrigation. This may shed some light on the microbiological quality of conventional leafy green samples at the pre-harvest stage, which could lead to subsequent higher microbial burden and/or possible internalization of potential pathogens present on the plant surface (Mdluli et al, 2013) , which is considered a normal result and a non-health hazard condition only if the former source was not used for irrigation purposes; a practice barely avoided by farmers due to interruption and sometimes cessation of irrigation at the indicated area. Maximum level of ECC (5.18 ± 0.92 log CFU/g) was detected in water samples collected from water beds and reservoirs in the vicinity of the agricultural fields cultivated with leafy greens.…”

Microbial Hazards in Irrigation Water: Standards, Norms, and Testing to Manage Use of Water in Fresh Produce Primary Production

“… (Amoah and others ; Barno and others ; Ibenyassine and others ; Keraita and others , ; Khalil and Gomaa ; Mdluli and others ; Yengoh and others )…”

Manual emptying of ventilated improved pit latrines and hygiene challenges - a baseline survey in a peri-urban community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…Wipes, face masks, and gloves were initially left to soak in 30 ml of sterile saline solution for 15 h at room temperature before analysis. E. coli E. coli was enumerated in four soil samples from areas where the soil was ingested and areas where open defecation occurred at households D2, D3, and D5, using a previously reported MPN method (Mdluli et al 2013). However, one milliliter of saline solution from samples other than soil was preenriched in 9 ml of LST broth for 24 h at 35°C.…”