Agriculture
is the MOST important sector of the Indian economy. Not only does it provide 50
% to the country’s workforce but it also structures the main source of income.
In fact, the very commitment of agribusiness in the national income in India is
in fact a very important backbone for the Indian economy.
is the MOST important sector of the Indian economy. Not only does it provide 50
% to the country’s workforce but it also structures the main source of income.
In fact, the very commitment of agribusiness in the national income in India is
in fact a very important backbone for the Indian economy.
India is
also the world’s largest producer of rice, pulses, spices, wheat and spice
products. Indians are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture; some
directly involved in farming and dealing with business with such goods. However, in
order to ensure pests and disease carriers such as rice, ticks, mice and weeds
pesticides are used.
also the world’s largest producer of rice, pulses, spices, wheat and spice
products. Indians are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture; some
directly involved in farming and dealing with business with such goods. However, in
order to ensure pests and disease carriers such as rice, ticks, mice and weeds
pesticides are used.
What are
pesticides though? Pesticides are substances or even mixture of substances that
are used to destroy, suppress or even alter the life cycle of any pest. It can
be naturally derived or synthetically produced. Pesticides include
bactericides, rodenticides, insecticides, baits, herbicides, fungicides,
repellents and lures.
pesticides though? Pesticides are substances or even mixture of substances that
are used to destroy, suppress or even alter the life cycle of any pest. It can
be naturally derived or synthetically produced. Pesticides include
bactericides, rodenticides, insecticides, baits, herbicides, fungicides,
repellents and lures.
Which
country uses the most pesticides? (As per April 25, 2017) By
order of rank, China uses the most pesticides, followed by the US, Argentina,
Thailand, Brazil, Italy, France, Canada, Japan and India.
country uses the most pesticides? (As per April 25, 2017) By
order of rank, China uses the most pesticides, followed by the US, Argentina,
Thailand, Brazil, Italy, France, Canada, Japan and India.
What else do
pesticides Include? In addition to this, herbicides are also used to kill or
even inhibit the unwanted growth of plants – known by the term of weeds.
pesticides Include? In addition to this, herbicides are also used to kill or
even inhibit the unwanted growth of plants – known by the term of weeds.
There are
many different pesticides if we are to closely take a look at them. Some of
these include:
many different pesticides if we are to closely take a look at them. Some of
these include:
- Insecticides-
used to kill insects. For example snail bait, wasp killer and ant killer. - Herbicides-
used to kill plans - Rodenticides-
used to kill rodents (rats and mice) - Bactericides-
used to kill bacteria - Fungicides-
used to kill fungi - Larvicides-
used to kill larvae
This need to
use pesticides can vary from region to region; depending on the climate,
environment and even the geographical location.
In India,
the production of pesticides started in 1952, with the establishment of a plant
for the production of BHS near Kolkata (formally known as Calcutta). India is
now officially the second largest manufacturer of pesticides in Asia, after
China and ranks twelfth globally.
the production of pesticides started in 1952, with the establishment of a plant
for the production of BHS near Kolkata (formally known as Calcutta). India is
now officially the second largest manufacturer of pesticides in Asia, after
China and ranks twelfth globally.
Harmful Effects of Chemical Pesticides:
Although
essential, chemical pesticides are known for polluting the environment.
Pesticides as well as fertilisers are known to be very harmful to the
environment, where pesticides contain potentially toxic chemicals that can
cause negative health effects such as cancer and even neurological and
reproductive disorders.
essential, chemical pesticides are known for polluting the environment.
Pesticides as well as fertilisers are known to be very harmful to the
environment, where pesticides contain potentially toxic chemicals that can
cause negative health effects such as cancer and even neurological and
reproductive disorders.
However, the
HARD-HITTING and COLD REALITY is the fact that the very same farmers who work
on the field have died – (in thousands) because of pesticide poisonous cases.
It is only getting worse, day-by-day.
The recent deaths of farmers due to
pesticide poisoning in Maharashtra have really opened up a debate of rationale
usage of pesticides in India; pesticides which are in fact either banned or
restricted elsewhere in the world due to their HIGH TOXITY. Deaths and
illnesses are inevitable but when they are caused because of the profession
that you have it is of dire concern.
Can you even imagine dying, JUST because of your profession? Its NOT fair and yes economic levels do matter, but this issue cannot be constantly overlooked.
HARD-HITTING and COLD REALITY is the fact that the very same farmers who work
on the field have died – (in thousands) because of pesticide poisonous cases.
It is only getting worse, day-by-day.
The recent deaths of farmers due to
pesticide poisoning in Maharashtra have really opened up a debate of rationale
usage of pesticides in India; pesticides which are in fact either banned or
restricted elsewhere in the world due to their HIGH TOXITY. Deaths and
illnesses are inevitable but when they are caused because of the profession
that you have it is of dire concern.
Can you even imagine dying, JUST because of your profession? Its NOT fair and yes economic levels do matter, but this issue cannot be constantly overlooked.
According to
Chandra Bhushan-deputy director general of the CSE, he said “deaths and
illnesses due to pesticides can be avoided if we urgently fix some of the
crucial gaps in our regulations and improve it enforcement.” He also went on to
specifically tell Times of India (TOI) “we need an exclusive legislation on
pesticide management to address the issues related to unsafe use of
pesticides.”
Chandra Bhushan-deputy director general of the CSE, he said “deaths and
illnesses due to pesticides can be avoided if we urgently fix some of the
crucial gaps in our regulations and improve it enforcement.” He also went on to
specifically tell Times of India (TOI) “we need an exclusive legislation on
pesticide management to address the issues related to unsafe use of
pesticides.”
The issues
that farmers have to face are immense. Whether it has been lack of proper
irrigation, absence of mechnisation, insufficient transport facilities,
problems in maintaining farm livestock due to rising costs or even problems in
getting credit at good terms and conditions because of reluctance of commercial
banks; farmers have felt the impact of these deficiencies more than most people
could even imagine or bother to know.
that farmers have to face are immense. Whether it has been lack of proper
irrigation, absence of mechnisation, insufficient transport facilities,
problems in maintaining farm livestock due to rising costs or even problems in
getting credit at good terms and conditions because of reluctance of commercial
banks; farmers have felt the impact of these deficiencies more than most people
could even imagine or bother to know.
As of now
(current times – 2017) farmer suicides occur largest in numbers Maharashtra,
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand. Just between the years of 2009 to
2016 over 23,000 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra.
(current times – 2017) farmer suicides occur largest in numbers Maharashtra,
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand. Just between the years of 2009 to
2016 over 23,000 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra.
Punjab, the
beautiful state of Punjab is our country’s most important agricultural region,
It is the nation’s leader in producing commodities such as wheat, rice and a
wide variety of general produce. Two-thirds
of cotton is even grown in Punjab. “Punjab is now becoming a hotspot of
cancer cases in India”, says Dr. Pritpal Singh as he sits in his simple office
in the Baba Farid Centre for Special Children, located in the small town of
Faridkot, in India’s Punjab region.
Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of
the Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi further goes on to say, “There
are a lot of studies which now link cancer in Punjab to use of pesticides.
Punjab is one of the largest users of pesticides in India. In fact, on a per
acre basis it is the largest user of pesticides.”
beautiful state of Punjab is our country’s most important agricultural region,
It is the nation’s leader in producing commodities such as wheat, rice and a
wide variety of general produce. Two-thirds
of cotton is even grown in Punjab. “Punjab is now becoming a hotspot of
cancer cases in India”, says Dr. Pritpal Singh as he sits in his simple office
in the Baba Farid Centre for Special Children, located in the small town of
Faridkot, in India’s Punjab region.
Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of
the Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi further goes on to say, “There
are a lot of studies which now link cancer in Punjab to use of pesticides.
Punjab is one of the largest users of pesticides in India. In fact, on a per
acre basis it is the largest user of pesticides.”
“Every house has a child with
problems”, he explains. “In this village there are only 2200 people. We
surveyed in 150 houses there are 62 kids with mental disabilities and cerebral
palsy.” The accumulation of toxins in the local ecosystems has left this
village silent. That silence is mirrored in the villagers of Punjab whose
voices are seldom heard in this remote corner of the country.
problems”, he explains. “In this village there are only 2200 people. We
surveyed in 150 houses there are 62 kids with mental disabilities and cerebral
palsy.” The accumulation of toxins in the local ecosystems has left this
village silent. That silence is mirrored in the villagers of Punjab whose
voices are seldom heard in this remote corner of the country.
“The government has cut us off. We
are getting no help”, says one villager as they gather around Dr. Singh as he
prepares to leave the village.“We don’t need the government!”, cries another.
“We just don’t want the polluted water. Our land is poisoned!”
are getting no help”, says one villager as they gather around Dr. Singh as he
prepares to leave the village.“We don’t need the government!”, cries another.
“We just don’t want the polluted water. Our land is poisoned!”
What’s the
common factor between all these farmers- leaving them with such a desolate
option as suicide?
Failure of crops, family problems such as with
spouse/others, property disputes, chronic illness, Floods, debt, drought,
public health, use of low quality pesticides as a result of less investments
and even Government economic policies.
common factor between all these farmers- leaving them with such a desolate
option as suicide?
Failure of crops, family problems such as with
spouse/others, property disputes, chronic illness, Floods, debt, drought,
public health, use of low quality pesticides as a result of less investments
and even Government economic policies.
However, Co-Director
of CGMH-Centre for Global Mental Health, Vikram Patel in his study- Suicide
mortality in India: a nationally representative survey found that southern
Indian states had ten times higher the suicide rates than some of the northern
states. Suicides in southern states were mainly because of a combination of
social issues; such as family and interpersonal problems, pre-existing mental
illness and financial difficulties.
of CGMH-Centre for Global Mental Health, Vikram Patel in his study- Suicide
mortality in India: a nationally representative survey found that southern
Indian states had ten times higher the suicide rates than some of the northern
states. Suicides in southern states were mainly because of a combination of
social issues; such as family and interpersonal problems, pre-existing mental
illness and financial difficulties.
WHO is
Responsible? The Registrar General of India had implemented a nationally
representative mortality survey in order to determine the cause of deaths that
occurred between 2001 and 2003. From the study itself, it has been found that
suicide rates are amongst the highest in the world and a large proportion of
adult suicide occur between the age of 15 and 29 years, especially in women.
Responsible? The Registrar General of India had implemented a nationally
representative mortality survey in order to determine the cause of deaths that
occurred between 2001 and 2003. From the study itself, it has been found that
suicide rates are amongst the highest in the world and a large proportion of
adult suicide occur between the age of 15 and 29 years, especially in women.
We
collectively need to do something or bring some attention to the Government to
pay attention effectively to this problem. We all in all fairness sit at home
and lead our busy lives and eat our normal ‘Ghar Ka Khana’ (homemade food).
Isn’t it just so sad that we cannot help these farmers who die because of such
reasons such as the misuse of pesticides?
collectively need to do something or bring some attention to the Government to
pay attention effectively to this problem. We all in all fairness sit at home
and lead our busy lives and eat our normal ‘Ghar Ka Khana’ (homemade food).
Isn’t it just so sad that we cannot help these farmers who die because of such
reasons such as the misuse of pesticides?
Mumbai is a
fast-paced city, and is known to be the financial and Bollywood capital, but
there have been significant delays in the implementation of the Mumbai Metro
projects. The initial deadline for the Navi Mumbai Metro Rail link was December
2014 but has got pushed to December 2017. The Colaba-Bandra-Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) corridor is
also facing delays.
fast-paced city, and is known to be the financial and Bollywood capital, but
there have been significant delays in the implementation of the Mumbai Metro
projects. The initial deadline for the Navi Mumbai Metro Rail link was December
2014 but has got pushed to December 2017. The Colaba-Bandra-Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) corridor is
also facing delays.
What really NEEDS to be
focused on are these COLD and DISTURBING ‘bits of news’ that just pops up in
our newspaper while we are relaxing.
focused on are these COLD and DISTURBING ‘bits of news’ that just pops up in
our newspaper while we are relaxing.
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1 Comment
Hi Karina. Thanks for writing about this serious problem facing the people who grow food so we may live. It’s tragic that we don’t hear much from the elected officials about addressing this problem. Keep opening our eyes with such information.