Pesticide usage problems
I am a farmer. I have first hand knowledge of this issue. Pesticide usage problems are:
1) Pesticide/ Herbicide usage instruction are NOT part of the packing viz., bottle, box, sachet. They are printed on a separate sheet of paper , bunched together into reams and pushed into card board boxes used for transportation. Dealer takes out the bottles, sachets etc. , having the chemicals and throws away the card board box and pesticide use instructions or sells them to kabadiwala. Therefore written instructions for pesticide use on crops never reaches the farmers. When a farmer like me specifically asks for these instructions, counter salesman tells that they did not receive them.
2) Further these instructions are printed in multiple languages but in very small font. It is difficult to read. Further these instructions are vague, full of jargon and confusing.
3) These usage instructions are not available on company web sites.
4) I pick up the dosages and instructions for use from package of practices for specific crops published by Agriculture Universities. Otherwise follow the advice of counter salesman. more
1) Pesticide/ Herbicide usage instruction are NOT part of the packing viz., bottle, box, sachet. They are printed on a separate sheet of paper , bunched together into reams and pushed into card board boxes used for transportation. Dealer takes out the bottles, sachets etc. , having the chemicals and throws away the card board box and pesticide use instructions or sells them to kabadiwala. Therefore written instructions for pesticide use on crops never reaches the farmers. When a farmer like me specifically asks for these instructions, counter salesman tells that they did not receive them.
2) Further these instructions are printed in multiple languages but in very small font. It is difficult to read. Further these instructions are vague, full of jargon and confusing.
3) These usage instructions are not available on company web sites.
4) I pick up the dosages and instructions for use from package of practices for specific crops published by Agriculture Universities. Otherwise follow the advice of counter salesman. more
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In continuation of my comments dated 11th April,2019 - I would like to state that Material Safety Data for a particular pesticide/insecticide can be MAINTAINED in the computer of the dealer/seller in all indian languages , and the MSDS in the desired language of the purchaser can be printed and/or transmitted through his mobile phone.This need be made a mandatory exercise in the interest of Health, Safety and Environment of the farmers, adjoining residents, and consumers of such agro-produces. more
Apr 15
Very valid point raised by Mr. Vinayak Rao. How many of our Farmers will be able to communicate the woes to an active and involved Forum like this . Even here the interest on Farmers may be far far less than in the other circles. At least from here there is a hope that this Message will be carried Forward to BIS, WEIGHTS & MEASURES . I have got a terrace vegetable garden in Chennai , some sort of organic Farmer using Kitchen waste and cow dung manure. I buy from the Horticultural Society of Tamil nadu " Roof Top Kitchen Garden Kit " . The Kit contains all that is required including a Brochure in the Local Language . Any doubts are entertained over phone or in person. They don't stock well for the subsequent additional requirements , so one has to go to a Private Nursery , where the price is high. When I went to buy a pesticide the bottle alone was sold . It did have a label , no doubt which required an ultra magnifying Glass . So I got the dosage from the sales boy .Luckily checked with the Department. The dosage told by the salesman was double the amount prescribed in the information in net . Here in this case we have to have some assistance from the Government, NGO's and also from the Manufacturers . I remember in the 1970's , the company people holding workshops meetings in key villages to pass on the information to the end users in the local languages on the use of Urea , Phosphate and on Pesticides . I wonder if the practice prevails still. more
Apr 15
That is a good idea and not all farmers will be knowledgeable hence there is a need for education and regulation more
Apr 14
There is need to regulate the manufacture/sale/use of pesticides/insecticides in the country in the interest of farmers and consumers. Many food grains/vegetables carry harmful contents beyond limits but there is effective authority in India to check/test the same. Only export consignments are tested by foreign bodies and quite often the whole lots are rejected. more
Apr 14
