Farmers split over ban on chemical spray on apples

Shimla, May 27

The state government has cited the advisory issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for justifying a phase-wise ban on the overuse of “ethereal or chemical colour spray” on apple. But the ban has evoked a mixed response from farmers who cite lack of scientific data on the harmful effects of the use of chemical colour spray.

“The ban on ethereal spray, as it is popularly known among farmers, has confused apple farmers at a time when the season is just a month away,” said Rakesh Singha, a CPM leader and president of the Himachal Apple Growers Association. “When there is no scientific basis to justify the ban, the government is only playing to the gallery,” he said.

But there are other farmers who hail the ban. “The colour spray creates a glut in the market. Farmers resort to spray to hit the market early to fetch a good price. The spray impedes the natural process, and buyers, when take the fruit to southern markets, suffer heavy losses as the fruit rots by then and in turn, farmers do not get payments from them,” said Balbir Chajta, a grower from Jubbal.

Prakash Thakur, vice-chairperson, Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC), said the FSSAI had issued an advisory in May 2010, checking the misuse of “ethereal or colour sprays” on apples or other fruit as it was turning harmful in the long run.

“The government is only restricting its overdose, which is harmful for the fruit and consumers, in a phased-manner. The growers, who oppose it, have not asked Dr YS Parmar Horticultural University to suggest some less harmful sprays for the purpose,” he said.

Experts said some greedy contractors resort to a heavy dose of colour spray on apples to capture the early market to get maximum profit. “The spray overdose enhances the ripening of the fruit and result in a glut in the market. Consumers also get the fruit which is not of good quality," said Dr Vijay Thakur, Vice-Chancellor, Dr YS Parmar Horticultural University.