Around ten farmers have reportedly died after spraying ‘Profex Super’ insecticide on Bt cotton plantations in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra.
This has raised the demand for stronger regulation of insecticide sale and use in India.
What are the causes?
Guidance - Cotton growers rely on high volumes of insecticides to prevent severe pest attacks.
This is increasingly due to the pressure to protect the investments made.
There is a lack of agricultural extension officers to advice farmers on the proper use of pesticides.
Resultantly, they rely on the advice of unscrupulous agents and commercial outlets for pesticides use.
Also, they do not take precautions such as wearing masks and covering themselves and checking the wind direction while spraying.
Regulation - The system of regulation of insecticides in India is obsolete.
A new Pesticides Management Bill introduced in 2008 was studied by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, but it is still pending.
Evidently, a large quantum of pesticides sold today is fake and they enjoy a higher growth rate than genuine products.
It is to be noted that agricultural products from India, including fruits and vegetables, have been subjected to import restrictions internationally for safety concerns.
Other causes - The increasing intensity of pesticide use is suspected to be due to the loss of efficacy of some genetically modified cotton in warding off pests.
Also, the Centre has failed to use its communication infrastructure, such as DD Kisan, Doordarshan dedicated to agriculture, etc to address distressed farmers, leading to their death.
What should be done?
Focus on pesticide regulation is as important as focus on growth in agricultural production and exports.
Clearly, there is a need for a high-level inquiry into the nature of pesticides used across the country.
A forward-looking farm policy would minimise the use of toxic chemicals.
More importantly, the regulatory system should be enhanced.
It is imperative that a Central Pesticides Board be formed to advise on the proper use and disposal of pesticides.
This will strengthen the oversight of registration, distribution and sale of toxic chemicals.
The Insecticides Act of 1968 should be updated and a new law should come in its place.
This can eliminate the shortfalls in the current rules that govern enforcement and introduce penalties where there are none.
Aligning the new pesticides regulatory framework with food safety laws and products used in health care will make it broad-based.
Encouraging organic methods of farming where they are efficacious could benefit both the farmer and the consumer.
Quick Fact
Profex Super Insecticide
Profex Super is a combination of Profenofos and Cypermethrin.
Environmental changes have resulted in huge attacks of bollworm and whitefly on cotton.
Also, cotton crop is increasingly vulnerable to pests such as bollworm in the current weather.
When sprayed without covering the mouth and nose, it causes adverse skin reactions, burning sensation, dizziness, and headaches.
Experts however doubt it to be a cause for death as it is not very toxic generally and the tragic results could be due to faulty application.
