Pesticide myths explained

 

 13 June 2022

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Pesticide myths explained

Some time back, I wrote about myths about pesticides. The pesticide industry has done exceptionally well in this country and has contributed to the food security significantly. It ranks 4^th or 5^th in the world in terms of its turnover. Often, pesticides are criticised for their harmful effects and are often in news. I am further elucidating myths about the pesticides and to some extent pesticide industry.

These were discussed by CCFI vide ICN Bureau 13 April 2022. I have answered them in my own style. Please refer to the above article for comparison.

Myth: Indian farmers use excessive Pesticides

Me: It is not true that Indian farmers use excessive pesticide per unit area of crop or per unit of produce on the basis of average of all. But what kind of pesticides do they use quantitatively and how much on different crops in different localities is the important point.

Myth: Agriculture commodities in India carry high level pesticides residues

Me: The All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues does not carry out monitoring of pesticide residues in the agri-produce collected at farm-gate or in the market. The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation [of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare] funded project on the Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at the National Level, a project initiated in 2005-06 reports pesticide residues annually. About 2-4% of agri-produce samples exceeding maximal residue limits fixed by FSSAI compare well with many developed countries. So far, we have done well. But these figures do not tell everything as these are average of averages of pesticide residues on many different commodities. Furthermore, residues of unapproved pesticides in the agri-produce is a matter of concern. Recent report of presence of chemicals [pesticides] above maximal residue limits in tea consignments by Federation of All India Tea Traders Associations [Economic Times 2 June 2022] shows that much more needs to be done especially by the State Departments of Agriculture for residue-free agri-products in the market for the consumers in view of many agri-markets.

 Myth: Pesticides use has led to high cancer rates in states like Punjab

Me: I agree with the contention that there is no relationship between pesticide use in agriculture and cancer incidence. India ranks 172th in cancer deaths in the world as per CCFI reply. Many developed countries have higher cancer rates than India. Further, in India, the north-eastern region has higher cancer incidence, although pesticide use there is very less or insignificant.

Myth: Accidental exposure to pesticides spray drift kills farmers

Me: Accidental exposure to pesticides does not kill, as such an exposure is limited. But repeated exposure does kill and this occurs as the labour spraying pesticides are the same people in the locality. Farmers rely on them as they are familiar with pesticide use. This is what happened in Yavatmal few years ago. Inadequate precautions during spraying due to lack of knowledge about hazardous nature of pesticide may affect adversely their heath.

 Myth: Indian market is full of spurious pesticides

Me: Some reports by FICCI [https://ficci.in/spdocument/20641/Pestiside-Report.pdf; Agro Chem Fed of India Indian Express 1Aug 2021] point out that Indian market has spurious/mislabelled/fake/substandard pesticides to some extent, if not full of it. This market of spurious pesticides may account for 5-20% of the annual turnover. Farmers need to be cautious and should purchase pesticides of only well-known companies.

Myth: India’s water system remains highly polluted with pesticides

Me: Inland water systems including stagnant water bodies may not be contaminated with pesticides, but surely contaminated with xenobiotics and harmful microbes as often these are being used for daily needs without regards to hygiene.

Myth: Pesticides are the primary means to commit suicide

Me: This is not true. But pesticides are more accessible than medicines. And value of life is not in the number of people dying of pesticide poisoning, but in the suffering of the bereaved family and their friends.

Myth: India uses pesticides that are banned in other countries

Me: This is not true. India like any other country has its own legal system for approval of pesticides. But we have pesticides registered many decades ago. And these pesticides are reviewed on ad-hoc basis for their safety and relevance in the light of environmental and human safety. Pesticide ban anywhere is that country’s perspective.

Myth: Organic and bio- pesticides are safer than chemical pesticides

Me: Not necessary. Let us not fool the farmers and general public in the name of natural or organic products. Every pesticide product even if of natural origin must pass the safety for human and environmental health and should be cost effective.

Myth: Indian manufacturers are not able to manufacture Quality meeting global standards

Me: This is not true. But what is ‘heavy investment in R and D by the Indian companies’ that has truly advanced pesticide science and offered novel pesticides of its ‘world class Research centers’ is a point of contention. Here is a need for some introspection.