Banned pesticides in use!

It is extremely concerning that substandard, fake and banned pesticides are being marketed across the country, under the very nose of the authorities, at great risk to public health. Speakers at a roundtable titled "Food Safety and Responsible Use of Pesticides" highlighted that even though the government has banned as many as 195 hazardous pesticides over the last few years, many of these continue to be sold in the markets and used by farmers as a result of lack of systematic monitoring on the part of concerned authorities. As many as 377 types of pesticides, which are already banned in developed countries, are still in use in the country, posing a serious threat to food safety.

The excessive use of pesticides on crops can have debilitating effects on public health, causing cancer, birth defects, and damages to the nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems. It is estimated that at least 2 lakh people die annually from pesticide poisoning. In addition, the use of pesticides has an irreversible effect on the environment. It is alarming that despite the severity of the threat posed by pesticides, their use has increased by a staggering six-fold in the last six decades.

It is unacceptable that no action is being taken at the national or grassroots level by concerned authorities to root out toxic and illegal pesticides from the country. Officers, who are allowing the unfettered trade of these pesticides, must be identified and punished, and stern action must be taken against traders selling these products in the market. The Ministry of Agriculture and other government bodies must raise awareness about the health hazards caused by pesticides and encourage farmers to use non-toxic alternatives.