Life is strange, ones stomach has the power to determine their fate, although Henley wrote, “ I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. I believe this wisdom by Henley shows that we have the power to control our thoughts and are able to understand and trace the sources of products that we consume for our safety.
Wetlands in urban areas are increasingly becoming cultivation lands for horticulture products. Although the local bylaws prohibit the use of effluent to irrigate crops. Most of the aging and dilapidated sewer pipelines are the ones which open the flood gates of effluent into the environment, and these find way to plants being grown.
Horticulture is the science and art of the development, sustainable production, marketing and use of high-value, intensively cultivated food and ornamental plants.
Horticultural crops are diverse and these include:
- Annual and perennial species
- Fruits and vegetables
- Decorative indoor plants
- Landscaping plants
Pros
- Wastewater has high nutrient content mainly phosphates, nitrates
- Reliable waste-water supply allows farmers to grow short-cycle cash crop
- This form of production has great importance as a source of income
Cons
- Health risk to consumers due to heavy metals and microbial contaminants
- Crop contamination
Waste water used for irrigation has often been proven to contain microbiological contaminates exceeding the WHO guidelines (WHO 2006). There is overwhelming information that consuming these products can be fatal to humans. Reference can be given to the cholera and typhoid cases that have been experienced in Zimbabwe.
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