Analysis of Risk Factors for Microbial Contamination of Vegetables in Market Gardening Environments in Niamey, Niger

Market gardening is an income-generating activity that is developing more and more in large African cities due to the strong demand for consumption in households and hotels. Market gardening has become a new profession and plays an important role in the supply of fresh vegetables. The aim of the present study was to assess market gardening practices at risk of causing vegetable microbial contamination in the market gardening environment of the urban community of Niamey. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from march to June 2022 on three market gardening sites (Harobanda, Gamkalé and Gounti yéna) in Niamey city with market gardeners. A total of 108 market gardeners were surveyed using a pre-established questionnaire. Market gardening is 100% practiced by men, most of them are over 40 years old (53.70%), of Niger nationality (62.96%) and unschooled (45.10%). River water (swimming pool) is used for 81.48% of watering, without any treatment (92.30%). Market gardeners are unaware of the danger of going down to the water source to draw water (61.11%). Some 87.04% of fields have no latrine, 37.04% are near garbage, 35.19% near drainage channels and 100% near a road. Two (2) types of fertilizer are used: chemical fertilizer (96.30%) and manure (98.15%), without any treatment (69.23%). Vegetables are stored on the ground (87.04%) after harvesting. The behavior of market gardeners on production sites gives no guarantee of healthy vegetables. In view of this behavior, sanitary education seems necessary for market gardeners.