India's farmers need to handle pesticides carefully

As organic farming is taking roots steadily and spreading, farmers using chemical fertilisers are being advised to switch to the environment-friendly cultivation which also contributes to public health considerably.

But, pests cannot be avoidable and use of pesticides is must as the loss of any crop due to diseases is between 20-25 per cent, aver the farmers.

Though the farmers at large are helpless to curb use of pesticides, they are getting affected by chemicals that they come in contact with. They depend on the advice of local dealers and sellers as agriculture extension officers are not doing their job effectively.

The ignorant farmers are not aware of the harmful effects of pesticides – they do not know which is to be used for what purpose. Also they do not know much about the precautions they should take while spraying pesticides or fertilisers which are pungent in smell.

Agriculture experts suggest some precautions to the farmers, but the latter are not following them as usual, influenced as they are mostly by the local sellers. Farmers start spraying the pesticide whenever they find worms in crops.

Instead, they need to closely study them and find out which type of pest it is. If they implement appropriate suggestions by agriculture expert who assess the situation and make recommendations, they can not only cut down on consumption of chemicals but also save themselves from its adverse impact on health.

According to experts, farmers who spray chemicals should take some safety measures.

They should wash their hands properly after spraying. They should wear eye glasses and gloves and loose outfits. They should cover the wounds if they have any. So many farmers every year are affected by diseases due to careless handling of pesticides, an expert said.

Agriculture officials are meanwhile conducting awareness programmes to sensitise the farming community, but they are having limited impact, without close and constant supervision by the officials, feel the experts.