Family horticulture as precursory activity for social developemnt: social structure and soil analysis for a sustainable production

Abstract

The objective of this work is to present orchard planning in peri-urban soils of Escobar (Buenos Aires province), in the framework of the Phase 3 Orchards Project of the NGO A Roof for my Country. Feminization of agriculture is displayed after studying growers profile. Growersaresensitized by the needto consider the qualityof the soil, and the need forsoil analysisof theirsmall farmsto detectlimiting factors andthe risk of pollutants enteringthetrophicchain. Routine analysis were performed to evaluate the productive conditions, and heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were also analyzed, as they may be hazardous for human health. Soil analysis showed appropiate fertility conditions, but producers should take into account other limiting factors related to their precarious accomodation. Soil average and maximum contents of heavy metals resulted acceptable as stipulated by the argentine and international guidelines.