State to impose curbs on sale of pesticides to farmers

Prescriptions Needed To Buy Chemicals

Reacting to concerns about excessive use of pesticides on vegetable and fruit farms in Tamil Nadu, the state agricultural department has decided to impose restrictions on sale of pesticides and insecticides by private outlets.

Farmers, hereafter, will have to produce `prescriptions' or recommendations from local horticultural or agricultural officers to purchase pesticides from dealers. A formal order is expected soon. “Though the majority of farmers consult our field officers, insistence on prescriptions to purchase pesticides will heighten accountability, both that of our officials and farmers,“ said a senior official.

The department has also decided to insist that private pesticide retail outlets and government-run agricultural extension centres display lists of banned pesticides and insecticides to educate farmers.

These steps have been taken following a report from Kerala's food safety department which sent a team to inspect farms across nine districts in TN in May . The report cited indis criminate use of pesticides even three to five times more han the permissible limit.

Since TN is a major supplier of agricultural produce to Kera a, the latter has imposed curbs on movement of agri commodi ies from TN. It has also written o TN raising concerns abou unsafe agricultural practices.

The Kerala team's survey showed that chemicals which could have neurological or car cinogenic implications when sprayed in excess, were being used indiscriminately . Pesti cides such as furadan, mono chrottophos, acephate, poly rine are used by potato, carrot cabbage and banana growers . TN's agriculture department has therefore begun an ex ercise to ensure that field level officers keep a close watch on farming activities in their jurisdiction and also advise farmers on best practices.

While admitting to the prob lem, Cauvery Delta Farmers' Welfare Association general secretary S Ranganathan said, “The government's decision to introduce prescriptions for farmers is a welcome move.Such a monitoring mechanism will allay Kerala's fears. Irresponsible application of pesticides based on the advice of local pesticide traders should not be encouraged.“