Artificial ripening of fruits and vegetables
Mr. Mizanur Khan's article (DS: April 18) on the subject states about the government's decision to frame a policy to control use of toxic chemicals in growing and ripening fruits and vegetables. It is indeed a commendable step. However, the real crux of the problem lies in implementing the policy to monitor and control the use of toxic chemicals. Therein lies the real challenge.
Many policies, laws and rules are there, but unfortunately their implementation has become the major problem ; for implementation in most cases gives rise to corruption. In this case too, it will create an avenue of enforcement which will usually victimise ordinary people; here the ordinary farmers. Meanwhile, the real culprits will buy their way through which seems to be the norm in Bangladesh, whenever rules are enforced.
This is the real worry, and unless this issue is tackled right from the beginning, the whole problem will boil down to opening another avenue of corruption.
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