Abstract

Understanding both positive and negative influences of urban agriculture (UA) could encourage countries to have suitable strategies in UA development, especially is in the developing country’s cities. The study used Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) model to identify potential risks of agro-inputs usage on urban ecosystems (human and ecology). The paper concentrates on influencing agrochemicals on farmer, consumer and ecosystem in Tuong-mango cultivation in peri-urban area of the southern Vietnam. The result shows that nitrogen fertilizer play important role in mango production but it can take nitrate poisoning for surrounding community, especially is dangerous to infants, pregnant women (birth defects and miscarriages) and adults (stomach and esophageal cancers). In addition, the fungicide makes up the highest proportion of the total agro-inputs usage. The finding indicates that active ingredients of the paclobutrazol, mancozeb, probineb, ziram and carbenazim are applied popular in Tuong-mango cultivation in the southern Vietnam. Paclobutrazol and ziram are category II (moderately hazardous), and the mancozeb, probineb, carbendazim are the list of category U (unlikely to present acute hazard when in regular use). Besides, Ecosystem EIQ triple farmer EIQ, are fivefold consumer EIQ for seasons 1, 2, and 3. The field use EIQ average value of the season 1 is the highest, next the season 2, and the season 3 is the lowest.  For policy solution, stakeholder reference and policy dialogue should be discussed regularly before UA is carried out in cities. Sustainable progression of UA in city requires coordination between health, agriculture and environmental departments, education and training. Moreover, farmers in urban need be supported technical advice, training, credit access, and collection economics development.

Keywords: Tuong-mango, peri-urban, agro-inputs, ecosystem