Faulty packing and labelling cause pesticide deaths; amend 1971 law: Experts

Yavatmal: Stating that banning hazardous pesticides won’t resolve the issue, experts say the pesticide poisoning deaths in Maharashtra are in fact caused by faulty packing and labelling, and that the government must amend The Insecticide Rules, 1971 to prevent them.

Chief of Technology and Agricultural Science Expansion Front Milind Damle told TOI that banning a pesticide doesn’t solve the chronic problem faced by farmers, and that the onus is on the government, which enacts the laws. “The chapter V of Insecticide Rules, 1971 (pertaining to packing and labelling) needs to be amended. Packing and labelling are fully responsible for the health and economic losses caused by pesticide spraying to farmers,” Damle said.

Yavatmal witnessed the highest pesticide poisoning deaths (24) in the state (272) between 2014 and 2018.

According to SR Gadak, who is the entomology department head at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar, faulty packing and labelling are behind the pesticide poisoning deaths in Maharashtra. He has suggested that the use of water with pH ranging from 6 to 7, and urged to make farmers aware of the importance of pH when used as carrier for spray. He has also urged farmers to handle and store pesticides safely.

Damle said the water in most taps, wells, rivers, streams, lakes and dams in Maharashtra is alkaline. “During June, July and August, the main water sources became more alkaline due to decrease in rainfall. Farmers didn't get the spraying result as per recommended quantity and as a result, they used more pesticides and other chemicals in spraying, and the inhalation of poisonous air led to casualties,” he added.

Damle suggests that the bottles/covers of pesticides must mention in bold letters that the pH range of tank mixture must be 6-7. “Amending the rule to make it mandatory for pesticide manufacturers and marketeers to disclose these facts is the only way to address the pesticide spraying poisoning,” he added.

Shetkari Sanghatana leader Vijay Naval said the Central Ground Water Board has made it clear that the water sources in Maharashtra are alkaline and the pH level is more than the stipulated 7. He too has demanded that a caution note should be printed on the bottles of pesticides that farmers should use only water, with its pH level ranging between 6 and 7. He said the use of citric acid can minimise the pH and it is readily available in the market.