PESTICIDES

Due to the presence of weeds, pests, diseases and rodents, the crop yield losses range from 15 to 25 per cent in India. Even though pesticides are essential for improving crop yields, per hectare pesticide use is much lower in India in comparison with other countries. Presently, India uses a low amount of 0.5 kg per ha pesticide compared to 7.0 kg per ha in the USA, 2.5 kg per ha in Europe, 12 kg per ha in Japan and 6.6 kg per ha in Korea. Besides, there are certain concerns regarding pesticides use in the country –

(i) Use of pesticides without following proper guidelines,

(ii) Use of sub standard pesticides, and

(iii) Lack of awareness about pesticide use.

These practices have given rise to pesticide residues being found in food products in India, posing major threats to the environment and human beings. Some policy steps which may be suggested in this regard are:

(i) Farmers need to be educated about the classification of insecticides on the basis of their toxicity and their suitability for aerial application.

(ii) The CIBRC (Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee) has issued guidelines for the application of pesticides, their dosage, minimum intervals to be maintained, and the levels of toxicity. This information needs to be widely disseminated among farmers.

(iii) Greater focus on IPM (Integrated Pest Management) which will

encompass a judicious mix of pest control methods by leveraging the cultural, mechanical, biological methods and need-based use of chemical pesticides. It gives preference to the use of bio-pesticides and bio-control agents, too.

(iv) Being environment friendly, nontoxic and cost effective, bio-pesticides need to be promoted among small farmers to improve productivity in agriculture.