RESUMO
The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices of market gardeners in Mbanza – Ngungu regarding the use of pesticides, but also to consider the risks of contamination of the environment and related humans. To do this, surveys were conducted with 111 market gardeners in the study area, randomly selected and distributed in six market gardening sites, on the use of pesticides. The results obtained reveal the use of certain pesticides canceled in the DRC and the EU; a lack of supervision and training of market gardeners on pesticide management; poor management of pesticides considering the observed aspects; the appearance of signs of pesticide poisoning in some market gardeners; the decrease in amphibians (toad) and clarias in the Loma site, a fact attributed to the excessive use of pesticides; the involvement of children in the management of these products which are so dangerous for them. In order to reduce the risk of intoxication of market gardeners and consumers of vegetables, and of environmental pollution, it is already urgent and important that a certain number of suitable measures, in the immediate future, be taken by political and administrative decision-makers and to promote the training of market gardeners in Mbanza - Ngungu for the judicious use of pesticides.