Dimapur| May 13 : The active use of the broad spectrum insecticide Endosulfan in agriculture crops in India had recently raised fears among consumers in Nagaland. The insecticide which causes severe health problems like physical deformities, gynaecological problems and even cancer, raised concerns about whether it is being used in the state agriculture and horticulture sector also. Given the fact that agri and horti production in the state has been increasing, people were skeptical about the government’s claim of being a purely organic state. The government has claimed that it does not encourage the use of pesticides farming in the state.
Officials in the horticulture and agriculture departments have said that they do not procure pesticide except for demonstration purpose. While all pesticides banned by the Ministry of Agriculture in India are also banned in the state, farmers in Nagaland are encouraged to use indigenous pest control methods. So far indigenous methods have proved to be quite effective. “Pesticides are used as the last resort to control pests,” Agri officer Jacob Yanthan said. Yanthan, who has vast experience in pest control and management, said that the pesticides are used in very small quantity- specific to the farming area.
Similarly, the horticulture sector has denied any use of chemical to boost production. Organic pesticides like neem-shield and neem-oil is used in certain fruits and vegetables to control diseases. However, Endosulfan is believed to be used in some pockets of the state in orange and mango plantations. “Endosulfan is used in fruit plantations but only in the initial stages and that too, in very small quantities,” an officer from the horticulture department said. He added that NPK fertilizer is also used in many areas. Regarding the controversy surrounding the use of Endosulfan, the officer said that any chemical used in excess is harmful to both human health and the environment. He said that the department recommends proper dosage to farmers. Even DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) insecticide earlier used across the state has been banned. It used only for the control of malaria by the health department.
Even so, with the government encouraging high yielding variety seeds in the state, claims of being organic may just not be correct. It is believed that the government is using pesticides in demonstration plots (land identified for cultivating high yielding variety seeds) in some districts. Besides, in Dimapur district where vegetable production has seen increasing yield, non-Naga farmers are said to be using pesticides. Yanthan expressed that in future, the soil in Dimapur may become like Punjab, where it has been exploited to the maximum that crop cultivation is impossible without the use of excess pesticides.
Many agriculturally advanced Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and neighbouring Assam are dependent on pesticides for agriculture productivity. So far, the rich fertile soil in Nagaland has not had the need for pesticides. But with the government encouraging commercial production coupled with climate change impact on agriculture, farmers in Nagaland may soon be left without a choice.
Officials in the horticulture and agriculture departments have said that they do not procure pesticide except for demonstration purpose. While all pesticides banned by the Ministry of Agriculture in India are also banned in the state, farmers in Nagaland are encouraged to use indigenous pest control methods. So far indigenous methods have proved to be quite effective. “Pesticides are used as the last resort to control pests,” Agri officer Jacob Yanthan said. Yanthan, who has vast experience in pest control and management, said that the pesticides are used in very small quantity- specific to the farming area.
Similarly, the horticulture sector has denied any use of chemical to boost production. Organic pesticides like neem-shield and neem-oil is used in certain fruits and vegetables to control diseases. However, Endosulfan is believed to be used in some pockets of the state in orange and mango plantations. “Endosulfan is used in fruit plantations but only in the initial stages and that too, in very small quantities,” an officer from the horticulture department said. He added that NPK fertilizer is also used in many areas. Regarding the controversy surrounding the use of Endosulfan, the officer said that any chemical used in excess is harmful to both human health and the environment. He said that the department recommends proper dosage to farmers. Even DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) insecticide earlier used across the state has been banned. It used only for the control of malaria by the health department.
Even so, with the government encouraging high yielding variety seeds in the state, claims of being organic may just not be correct. It is believed that the government is using pesticides in demonstration plots (land identified for cultivating high yielding variety seeds) in some districts. Besides, in Dimapur district where vegetable production has seen increasing yield, non-Naga farmers are said to be using pesticides. Yanthan expressed that in future, the soil in Dimapur may become like Punjab, where it has been exploited to the maximum that crop cultivation is impossible without the use of excess pesticides.
Many agriculturally advanced Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and neighbouring Assam are dependent on pesticides for agriculture productivity. So far, the rich fertile soil in Nagaland has not had the need for pesticides. But with the government encouraging commercial production coupled with climate change impact on agriculture, farmers in Nagaland may soon be left without a choice.
SC bans production and use of endosulfan
New Delhi, MAY 13 (AGENCIES): The Supreme Court on Friday imposed a nation-wide ban on the manufacture and use of the insecticide endosulfan, pending an expert committee report. Endosulfan is a cheap chemical used by farmers across the country. A bench comprising chief justice S.H. Kapadia and justices Swatanter Kumar and K.S. Radhakrishnan passed the ban invoking the court’s powers under Article 21 of the constitution, which upholds the right to life of citizens above all else.
”We are not going by public opinion. We are going strictly by the law laid down by this court. Ultimately, human life is above all else,” Kapadia said. On Wednesday, the court had strongly indicated that it would impose the ban, but allowed time for manufacturers, farmers and exporters to be heard.
Two committees headed by the director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the agriculture commissioner, respectively, have been directed to jointly submit jointly an interim report in eight weeks. The expert report is to contain an all-India study of the effects of endosulfan on the human body and the environment.
”We are not going by public opinion. We are going strictly by the law laid down by this court. Ultimately, human life is above all else,” Kapadia said. On Wednesday, the court had strongly indicated that it would impose the ban, but allowed time for manufacturers, farmers and exporters to be heard.
Two committees headed by the director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the agriculture commissioner, respectively, have been directed to jointly submit jointly an interim report in eight weeks. The expert report is to contain an all-India study of the effects of endosulfan on the human body and the environment.
