'World No Pesticide Use Day' Celebration

December 3, Biruda, Nayagarh rural, Odisha: Farmers of NIRMAN today sent out a strong warning to the Multinational agri-corporations trying to take control over India's agriculture sector by stopping the field trial of pesticides and genetically modified [GM] crops here. Hundreds of farmers from the area assembled at M. G. Nodal U.P. School and staged a protest demonstration against use of pesticides and GM crops.

In the memory of Bhopal Gas Leak incident on 3rd December 1984, NIRMAN, a grass root environmental action group working towards promotion of ecological agriculture, organized a meet of farmers, farmer leaders, local political leaders and academicians on the day of “World No Pesticide Use Day” at of Biruda of Nayagarh District on 3rd December2010.

Nayagarh is one of the leading districts in Odisha in pesticide use. High doses of pesticides are applied to paddy as well as vegetables especially cabbage, cauli-flower, tomato, chilly and brinjal. The pesticide use in the region has been increased by 24% in the last one year.

The participants threw a light upon the Historic Bhopal Incident and then discussed the ill effects of using the deadly poison. NIRMAN elaborated details on the harmful effects of the pesticides and how the pesticides cause many diseases to human beings, polluting the soil, water and air as well. Farmers were realized how the input cost on agriculture gradual increasing in the forms of agro-chemicals.

The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India in collaboration with Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi under All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues has been implementing a project on “Monitoring of pesticide residues at National level” during the period from April 2008 to March 2009. Samples of vegetables, fruits, spices, pulses, cereals, milk and milk products, fish, tea, honey, meat, animal feed and ground water were collected in different parts of the country and analysed at 20 participating laboratories located at different regions for identifying the presence of various pesticide residues. NIRMAN discussed about the findings of the project and appealed to the farmers to reduce and move toward eliminating the utilization of chemical substances, to promote organic agriculture and to introduce safe options, including integrated pest management cropping techniques, such as application of multiple farming systems, namely rice farming, fish culture, vegetables growing, frog rising, and organic agriculture like organic rice farming, organic vegetable growing these should be encouraged. The same was made for the consumers too to increase support given to natural agricultural products, to raise consumers’ awareness on various problems of chemical pesticides and fertilizers’ consequences and to engage in all activities pertaining to the prevention and reduction of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

In addition to this, NIRMAN also highlighted ‘The Pesticide Management Bill 2008’. The theme of the bill was criticized by the participants. “The bill was drafted for corporate interest and efforts should be made to bring amendments in it” – says a farmer leader.