Some Revelations About The Indian Pesticide Industry

India’s agricultural sector continues to be the backbone of the country’s economy and accounts for about 15% of the nation’s GDP (as per Central Statistics Office). It is highly seasonal and greatly dependent on monsoon. Out of the net sown area, only 45% has access to irrigation facilities. This situation gets worse as it’s noted that about 25% crop production is lost due to pests, weeds and diseases. Therefore, in order to meet the demand that exists due to the constant increase in population, the enhancement of crop productivity is essential. The usage of insecticides and pesticides therefore becomes unavoidable despite their ill effects.

The Indian pesticide market is broadly divided into five types of pesticides. 60% of the market is covered by insecticides, 18% goes to fungicides, herbicides have 16% and the remaining 6% account for other methods. Bio-pesticides are presently a very small portion of the market; however it is expected to grow into a significant category as it is non-toxic in nature. These are pesticides derived from certain natural materials like plants, animals, bacteria and minerals.

Pesticides are regularly viewed as a fast and simple way to control weeds and bugs. Be that as it may, pesticide utilization comes at a critical cost. They have contaminated almost every part of the environment. They are found in soil and air, and in surface and groundwater. As opposed to regular misinterpretations, even herbicides can be a threat to the environment. Truth be told, weed killers can be particularly dangerous in light of the fact that they are utilized in vast volumes. The ideal approach to lessen pesticide pollution is for every one of us to do our part to utilize more secure, non-chemical pest- control techniques. One of the bigger challenges faced by the agriculture industry today is the lack of awareness regarding pesticides among farmers, which leads to unregulated use over a period of time therefore resulting into fall in productivity. Another reason for the fall in productivity and nutritional value is the shift to Mono cropping as it gradually exhausts the soil of particular nutrients as the same type of crop is planted year after year, this ultimately results in decreased soil fertility. There’s a significant need for education regarding the same among the farmers because much of the pesticide usage is not regulated, unsafe for consumption or sourced from illegitimate suppliers. Local pesticide dealers’ account for more than 35-40% of the pesticides sold in India. Most of these products are highly ineffective. This then results into crop loss, fall in soil fertility and several diseases when the produce is been consumed. Due to lack of knowledge, this often leads to the over-usage of these chemicals.

There are 3 main industries responsible for pesticides in India. Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee approves introduction of new pesticides. FSSAI looks after the maximum residual level of pesticides in food at the consumer level. APEDA sets guidelines and standards for certification of organic farms. While on paper, Government of India regulates the manufacture, sale and transport etc. of pesticides under the guidelines of the INSECTICIDE ACT, 1968; in application it’s highly ineffective. There’s no control over sales at the retail level. India doesn’t just lack a system of management of pesticides in a sound manner, it also allows the sale and usage of pesticides which are highly toxic and are banned in several countries. “The think-tank said that the pesticides such as Monocrotophos, Oxydemeton Methyl, Acephate and Profenophos were believed to be responsible for deaths and illness in Maharashtra. Pesticides like Monocrotophos and Oxydemeton-methyl are considered Class-I pesticides by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The CSE said that since Class-I pesticides can be fatal at a very low dose, many of these are banned in several countries”- The Times of India.

A study was conducted in South India to assess the relationship between extent of pesticide use and signs and symptoms of illness due to the exposure to pesticides. Responses to questionnaires showed that 433 farmers (68.6%) sprayed pesticides themselves and were thus directly exposed. More than 75% used moderately or highly hazardous pesticides; 88% used no protection while handling pesticides. About 50% of sprayers mixed different brands. Retailers were the source of information about pesticides for 56%. The farmers reported excessive sweating (36.5%), burning/stinging/itching of eyes (35.7%), dry/sore throat (25.5%), and excessive salivation (14.1%), all more prevalent among sprayers. Among men, excessive sweating and eye and throat problems were significantly associated with exposure.

This study stands to prove the fact that those merely exposed to pesticides directly or indirectly are impacted by several diseases and physical discomfort. Now let’s take a look at those that are consuming these pesticides. As mentioned above, there is lack of awareness among farmers on this subject to begin with and to top that, there is no prescribed limit on the usage that they strictly follow in terms of application. It is then necessary to reflect on what the consumption of such produce can lead to. Pesticides have always been linked to a myriad of illnesses. Some of the most common side effects caused by pesticides are Endocrine complications, Infertility and Sterility, Birth Defects, Respiratory Disorders, Organ Failure, Skin Irritation and even Cancer. While all of the above have multiple reasons for occurance, pesticide consumption is said to be one of them. The list does not end there. In The Facts About Organic Foods; Having More Vitamins and Minerals Protects You From Chronic Disease, James Cleeton claims that "women with breast cancer are five to nine times more likely to have pesticide residues in their blood than those who do not. The apparent link between hormone dependent cancers, such as those of the breast and prostate, may be via endocrine disrupting chemicals such as 2,4D and Atrazine (both herbicides)". Several studies have continually linked the increase in presence of neurological disorders caused due to consumption of pesticides. It seems that switching to organic produce is truly the need of the hour. While it may cost slightly more than conventional output, the health benefits attached to it certainly outweigh the cost. Progressing towards organic food is extremely necessary in order to help reduce the chances of diseases and live a healthier life.

References

• Outlook of Indian Pesticide Industry by CARE Ratings- http://www.careratings.com/upload/NewsFiles/SplAnalysis/Outlook%20of%20Indian%20Pesticide%20Industry.pdf

• Pesticide Control in India: 3 Agencies but no action - Karthikeyan Hemalatha and Julie Mariappan- The Times of India- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pesticide-control-in-India-3-agencies-but-no-action/articleshow/47670670.cms

• 8 Possible Side Effects of Pesticides- http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/926/8-possible-side-effects-of-pesticides/

• WHY ORGANIC: HARMFUL EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL PESTICIDES- http://www.havahart.com/why-organic-harmful-effects-of-chemical-pesticides

• Use of Pesticides and its Impact on Health of Farmers in South India- Chitra Grace A, V R Muraleedharan, Tyagarajan Swaminathan, D Veeraraghavan- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6822817_Use_of_Pesticides_and_Its_Impact_on_Health_of_Farmers_in_South_India

• Impact of Pesticide used in Agriculture: Their impacts and hazards- Md. Wasim Akhtar, Dwaipayan Sengupta, Ashim Chowdhury- https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/intox.2009.2.issue-1/v10102-009-0001-7/v10102-009-0001-7.pdf

• 7 deadly pesticides world has banned used in India- Vishwa Mohani- TNN- The Times of India- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/7-deadly-pesticides-world-has-banned-used-in-india/articleshow/61138491.cms