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Toxic Farming

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October 16, 2017

What is the issue?

  • Around ten farmers have reportedly died after spraying ‘Profex Super’ insecticide on Bt cotton plantations in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra.
  • This has raised the demand for stronger regulation of insecticide sale and use in India.

What are the causes?

  • Guidance - Cotton growers rely on high volumes of insecticides to prevent severe pest attacks.
  • This is increasingly due to the pressure to protect the investments made.
  • There is a lack of agricultural extension officers to advice farmers on the proper use of pesticides.
  • Resultantly, they rely on the advice of unscrupulous agents and commercial outlets for pesticides use.
  • Also, they do not take precautions such as wearing masks and covering themselves and checking the wind direction while spraying.
  • Regulation - The system of regulation of insecticides in India is obsolete.
  • A new Pesticides Management Bill introduced in 2008 was studied by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, but it is still pending.
  • Evidently, a large quantum of pesticides sold today is fake and they  enjoy a higher growth rate than genuine products.
  • It is to be noted that agricultural products from India, including fruits and vegetables, have been subjected to import restrictions internationally for safety concerns.
  • Other causes - The increasing intensity of pesticide use is suspected to be due to the loss of efficacy of some genetically modified cotton in warding off pests.
  • Also, the Centre has failed to use its communication infrastructure, such as DD Kisan, Doordarshan dedicated to agriculture, etc to address distressed farmers, leading to their death.

What should be done?

  • Focus on pesticide regulation is as important as focus on growth in agricultural production and exports.
  • Clearly, there is a need for a high-level inquiry into the nature of pesticides used across the country.
  • A forward-looking farm policy would minimise the use of toxic chemicals.
  • More importantly, the regulatory system should be enhanced.
  • It is imperative that a Central Pesticides Board be formed to advise on the proper use and disposal of pesticides.
  • This will strengthen the oversight of registration, distribution and sale of toxic chemicals.
  • The Insecticides Act of 1968 should be updated and a new law should come in its place.
  • This can eliminate the shortfalls in the current rules that govern enforcement and introduce penalties where there are none.
  • Aligning the new pesticides regulatory framework with food safety laws and products used in health care will make it broad-based.
  • Encouraging organic methods of farming where they are efficacious could benefit both the farmer and the consumer.

Quick Fact

Profex Super Insecticide

  • Profex Super is a combination of Profenofos and Cypermethrin.
  • Environmental changes have resulted in huge attacks of bollworm and whitefly on cotton.
  • Also, cotton crop is increasingly vulnerable to pests such as bollworm in the current weather.
  • When sprayed without covering the mouth and nose, it causes adverse skin reactions, burning sensation, dizziness, and headaches.
  • Experts however doubt it to be a cause for death as it is not very toxic generally and the tragic results could be due to faulty application.  

 

Source: The Hindu

 

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