from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our JAFSCD Partners: |
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Despite the socioeconomic benefits of market gardening as a source of income and food, women working in this sector are routinely exposed to highly hazardous pesticides, whether as part-time laborers or independent producers on their own farms. Growing awareness of pesticide risks is increasing women farmers’ interest in and willingness to adopt safer alternatives. Achieving the full environmental, social, and economic benefits of sustainable agriculture requires strong public policy support to remove highly hazardous pesticides from the market, improve access to alternatives, and promote integrated pest management through field farmer schools.
In a new JAFSCD commentary, From hazard to hope: Congolese women farmers' perspectives on reducing pesticide use in vegetable production, Arsene Mushagalusa Balasha, Dominique Aganze Mulume, Benjamin Murhula Balasha, and Alex Tambwe Nyumbaiza present trends in pesticide use in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and assess women vegetable farmers’ perspectives on adopting alternative pest control methods. The authors provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders to phase out highly hazardous pesticides and promote safer, sustainable alternatives.
KEY FINDINGS
Vegetable production often involves intense phytosanitary treatments, which expose women farmers to highly hazardous pesticides. About 67% of insecticides and over 50% of fungicides identified in the DRC markets are no longer approved in Europe. Women's vulnerability to pesticides arises from multiple factors that include the lack of protective equipment, the use of inappropriate tools, limited knowledge of the products, and the inherent high toxicity of the pesticides employed. More than 50% of women farmers would like to try alternatives, and 47% are willing to reduce pesticide use.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH Breaking the cycle of hazardous pesticide use requires coordinated, multi-level action, including regulatory reform.
Training through farmers’ field schools can promote alternative pest management methods. Institutional support is key to achieving a successful transition to sustainable agriculture.
SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
In many developing countries like the DR Congo, vegetable farming supports numerous households. But heavy use of chemical inputs puts women—who make up most farmers—at risk. Women farmers need support in the form of training, protective equipment, and affordable alternatives for pest control to ensure their safety and sustainable food production. Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.151.033
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Photo above: A woman farmer showing the profenofos pesticide she sprayed on vegetable crops in the marshland around Bukavu, DR Congo; photo by Balasha, 2022. |
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JAFSCD SHAREHOLDER'S EVENT |
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The 10th anniversary series of Food Literacy for All kicks off on January 13, with guest speakers starting on Jan. 20. Food Literacy for All is a community-academic partnership course at the University of Michigan.
From January to April, Food Literacy for All features dynamic sessions each Tuesday evening (6:30-7:50 pm ET) that address the challenges and opportunities of diverse food systems.
The first session on Jan. 13 gives an overview of food systems and reviews the syllabus and assignments (community members don’t need to attend the whole session). The guest speakers start on January 20. All sessions are on Zoom and recordings are shared afterward.
See the schedule and register for free as a community member on the website. Registration is rolling, so you can sign up anytime. As a registrant, you can attend the sessions that interest you. You register once and will get reminders of each week's webinar. |
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NATIONAL FARM STOP NETWORK |
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| Contribute to the first-ever
National Farm Stop Census
The National Farm Stop Network is conducting the first ever National Farm Stop Census to understand how this growing model of producer-focused retail is taking root across the U.S. |
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What is a Farm Stop? - Mission-based, year-round grocery store
- Sources directly from local producers
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Provides high returns to producers, often through consignment
- Serves as a community gathering place
Your Help Is Needed! If you operate a farm stop that’s been in operation for at least a year, we invite you to participate by taking a 15-minute survey. |
Your input will contribute to the first nationwide, comprehensive dataset on farm stops, offering a proof of concept that strengthens funding opportunities, technical assistance, and policy support for businesses like yours! Questions or concerns? Reach out to katbarr@umich.edu |
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Photo above: The Uniferme store near Lyon, France, is a cooperative effort of local farmers who staff the store during open hours. Products range from mushrooms to cheese, vegetables, and wine; photo © 2019 by Amy Christian. |
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| A Regional Imperative: The Case for Regional Food Systems
In this authoritative text published in 2023, authors Kathryn Z. Ruhf and Kate Clancy take a comprehensive look at regional food systems and make a compelling case for why they are possible and desirable. |
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This forward-looking final report explores the concepts, practices, challenges, and promise of regional food systems. Ruhf and Clancy make the case for “thinking regionally,” drawing examples from the Northeast and across the U.S. Eight chapters take a wide perspective on the dimensions and attributes of regional food systems.
The report posits 6 dimensions and 12 attributes of regional food systems, with resilience, diversity, and sustainability as overarching themes. Topics include production, food security, economic development, land access and natural resources, climate change, supply-chain infrastructure, and social justice. The authors explore the challenges to and constraints of developing regional food systems, and suggest what is needed to advance them. Read or download the report for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/lyson.2022.001 |
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As a community-supported journal, JAFSCD depends on our community of shareholders, who contribute to keep our content free and freely accessible, worldwide. We appreciate all our new and renewing shareholders! Learn more about joining here. Our newest JAFSCD Library Shareholder:
West Chester University |
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SUPPORT JAFSCD THROUGH YOUR LIBRARY! | |
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If you are affiliated with a college or university and want to support JAFSCD, now is the time of year when libraries order new journal subscriptions. |
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How do I know if my library already contributes? Check the list here (scroll down on the page).
Isn't JAFSCD open access and free? It is! But we are a community-supported journal. Libraries contribute to become JAFSCD Library Shareholders instead of buying a subscription — keeping JAFSCD free to all instead of buying access just for their faculty and students. Think of us as the CSA of journals!
Considering submitting a manuscript to JAFSCD? If your institution is a JAFSCD Shareholder, you benefit by having our US$750 APC waived automatically.
How do I recommend JAFSCD to my library? Tell your librarian why JAFSCD is important to your work, and send them this link to learn more!
Contact Amy Christian, managing editor, for details or assistance. |
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This email is sent to you as a notification of the newest JAFSCD articles and other occasional JAFSCD news. |
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JAFSCD is an open access, community-supported journal! Your library, program, or organization can become a shareholder to help keep JAFSCD's content available to all, regardless of their resources. We welcome anyone to become an individual shareholder; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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