Focus on minimising agrochemical use

by Gamini Warushamana

Environment and health issues caused by excessive use of agrochemicals was discussed in Parliament last week during the debate on new regulations to control the use of pesticides and weedicides. The new law has increased the registration fee for agrochemicals and discourages its use.

Despite their disagreements on many issues, Members of Parliament in the Government and the Opposition agreed that the consequence of excessive use of agrochemicals has now reached alarming proportions.

During the debate it was revealed that over 15,000 tonnes of agrochemicals are imported annually and some pesticides and weedicides that were banned in the recent past are available in the market under different trade names.

Green revolution

According to researchers, the history of agrochemical use in Sri Lanka goes back to the 1960s. Pesticides had been first used in Sri Lanka in the anti-malaria campaign to control the malaria mosquito.

Agrochemical use increased after the green revolution where new high-yield but pest and disease susceptible crop varieties were introduced. In traditional farming practices agrochemical were not used at all.

Traditional seed varieties, paddy and other vegetable crops, that were used by farmers had pest and disease resistant properties.

Labour shortage

In addition environment-friendly traditional methods were used in pest and disease control.

But as agriculture shifted from subsistence to commercial farming, none of these methods were practical.

Crops such as pumpkin which was earlier cultivated in chenas are today cultivated with the high use of chemical

fertiliser and pesticides. Farmers say that the imported hybrid seeds they use is highly susceptible to pest and diseases.

Weedicide use has increased as a result of labour shortage and resulting high labour cost.

Paddy farming in the Dry Zone is entirely dependent on weedicides. Results of recent studies suggest that the main cause for fatal chronic kidney disease which is widespread in North Central Province and spreading to other areas are weedicides containing Glyphosate.

No option

As the adverse impact of agrochemical use is visible, people are concerned about what they consume.

They know that they are taking in poisons with their meals - rice, vegetables and fruits, but they have no option other than to depend on what is available in the market.

There are groups that demand a shift to traditional farming practices and use of traditional seeds, organic fertiliser and traditional pest and disease control methods.

This is similar to the anti-green revolution campaign that stresses its negative impacts. However, as we know, the green revolution saved billions of lives in the world and traditional farming practices alone cannot feed today's world population of over seven billion.

Knowledge

If the issue is excessive use of agrochemicals, the solution should be to control its use and minimise adverse consequences. One main reason for excessive use of agro chemical is lack of knowledge among farmers.

Most of the farmers we interviewed recently in Galkiriyagama, Kandalama and Madatugama said that they do not have support from government institutions and responsible officers to diagnose plant disease and recommend pesticides or agrochemicals.

The agriculture extension service has been paralysed and it is one reason for the problems. W.M. Rajapaksa, a farmer in Kandalama, said that only sales representatives of agrochemical companies come to the field to recommend pesticides.

Another farmer, W.M. Tharanga said that they themselves decide on the pesticides with their experience or get advise from the pesticide trader.

High concentrations

Since the objective of the agro chemical companies is to maximise sales, overuse of agro chemicals is inevitable.

The way the farmers use these agrochemicals in farming areas is horrible. Weed control is mainly done by weedicides and at least twice a year they spray weedicides to the field.

To get faster results they use higher concentrations of pesticides than the recommended dosage or spray them mixed with kerosene oil or urea or some other chemical without any scientific rationale or the least idea of adverse health and environment impact.

Some farmers are so hypocritical that they cultivate separate plot of land without using agrochemicals for their consumption. Brinjals and capsicum farmers spray pesticides mixed with beer to get shiny, good looking vegetables.

Environmental issue

Particles of carbofuran, a banned pesticide, are directly put on babycorn plants. Spraying pesticides on harvested fruits before it is transported to the market is a common practise, especially in more perishable vegetables such as tomatoes.

Dumping of empty agrochemical bottles and cans is another serious environmental issue and heaps of empty cans and bottles can be seen strewn around in the main farming areas.

There is no proper collection and recycling system for the empty containers. Even with the knowledge of the danger and fatal kidney disease they are experiencing, farmers throw away the empty containers anywhere they wish. The agrochemical companies which earn billions of rupees in profit too have not considered their social responsibility.

A Mahaweli Authority official said that attempts to collect and safely dispose of the hazardous garbage failed due to lack of support from the farmers.

An extensive campaign and green productivity initiative is essential to tackle this issue, he said.

White revolution

The Deputy Director General (Research) of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. E.M. Dassanayake said that research is focused on minimising agrochemical use. She accepted that earlier the department pushed the green revolution and encouraged farmers to use agrochemicals because the focus was on increasing yield. "Now we focus on the quality of agricultural products as well and the adverse impact on health and environment due to the overuse of agrochemicals have been taken into account.

We encourage farmers to use traditional weed and pest control methods and this new campaign is called the White Revolution," she said.

Problems

Dr. Dassanayake said that the use of chemicals to artificially ripen fruits also has serious health implications and the Consumer Affairs Authority has the power to stop them.

The department has launched a mobile service to educate farmers including diagnosing plant diseases and recommending suitable pesticides to address problems in the agriculture extension service. The program has launched with five vehicles and the service is available in the main farming areas.

Registrar of Pesticides, Dr. G. A. W. Wijesekara said that the around 7,000 tonnes of agrochemicals is imported and not 15,000 tonnes. The quantity imported is not much higher compared to other countries.

Agrochemical use in Sri Lanka is 4 kg per acre per year and it is much lower compared to countries such as Thailand. Some of the banned chemicals are still available in the market because import was banned recently and it will take time for stocks to exhaust.