agricultural contaminants: farm practices in pesticidefarm

Agricultural contaminants: Farm Practices in PesticideFarm Practices in Pesticide

use

Dr. P. Indira Devi ,Professor Division of Agricultural Economics,

College of Horticulture,Kerala Agricultural University Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur-680656, Kerala.

indiradevi.p@kau.in

Pesticide Use in Rice bowl of Kerala and human health–South Asian Network for Development andEnvironmental Economics

Pesticide use and crop productivity in food crops ofKerala-Kerala State Council for Science ,technology and, gyEnvironment

Supply Side Analysis of Pesticide Markets in Kerala-Evidences from Retail Traders

Kerala State Council for Science ,technology and Environment

Pesticide Scene in IndiaPesticide Scene in India

Largest manufacturer of basic pesticides in AsiaLargest manufacturer of basic pesticides in Asia

12 th globally

226 products

Insecticides 75%,Fungicides 12%,Hebicides 10%

Export orientedExport oriented

Production – 80-85 MTProduction 80 85 MT

Imports 19 29 MTImports - 19-29 MT

C ti 42 45 MTConsumption – 42-45 MT

EXPORTS – three times cons.

2.38% CAGR(US,EU,AFRICAN)

80Consumption India

60

70

50

60

30

40

Consumption India

20

30

0

10

0

1991

-92

1992

-93

1993

-94

1994

-95

1995

-96

1996

-97

1997

-98

1998

-99

1999

-00

2000

-01

2001

-02

2002

-03

2003

-04

2004

-05

2005

-06

2006

-07

2007

-08

2008

-09

2009

-10

2010

-11

Can we relax?Can we relax?

Is it due to decline in consumption in realIs it due to decline in consumption ,in real sense?

Less quantity..more toxic,persistant?

Kerala Scene-Kerala Scene

Trend of Pesticide consumption in KeralaTrend of Pesticide consumption in Kerala

1400

1600

1000

1200

800

1000

Rodenticide

weedicide

Insecticide

400

600 Fungicide

0

200

Pesticide consumption in Kerala during 2010-11

Fungi 73%Insect 15%Weed- 11%Weed 11%

Growth ratesGrowth rates

Fungi- -3.12%Insect-- -16.46%Insect 16.46%Weedi -7.12%

Total 7 55%Total- -7.55%

Concerns

Increasing share of weedicides

While toxic and more persistentWhile toxic and more persistentchemicals show a very high growth ratei tiin consumption ,the chemicals that exhibit a decline inconsumption are safer and more innumber but less in the extent ofnumber, but less in the extent ofdecline.

Sale Policy………..

Retailing -IndiaRetailing India

1 78 979 t il tl t1,78,979 retail outlets

90% i t90% private7% Cooperative

Only in 11 states public sector presence

HP, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, TN, Tripura, UP, Uttaranchal and UT of Delhi

In NE states (Mizoram Meghalaya andIn NE states (Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland) public sector has a major share in pesticide retailingshare in pesticide retailing.

In HP 42%public and cooperatives58% private).

Private Sector ruling the retail market 60%market-60%…

6000

4000

5000Private

3000

4000Cooperatives

1000

2000 Department ofAgr.

0

/99

/00

/01

/02

/03

/04

/05

1/2/

9

1/1/

0

1/8/

0

1/8/

0

1/8/

0

1/8/

0

1/8/

0

Poor Quality control arrangements……………

Date Sample analysed

Samplefound poor

Action taken

1997-98 1784 6 Nil1998-99 1505 23 NilNil1999-2000* 1281 2 Nil2000-01 1698 - Nil2001-2002 1591 3 NilNilApril 2002-July 02

554 - Nil

Micro level Behaviour-Farm practicesFarm practices

Risk managementRisk management…

Risk assessment Chances of pest attack?Chances of pest attack?......

yield risk perceptions very highyield risk perceptions…very high

why take risk?why take risk?

Preventive than Curative..

Most toxic pesticides are preferedMost toxic pesticides are prefered

C l C t F (%)Colour Category Frequency (%)

Green Slightly toxicity 5Green Slightly toxicity 5

Blue Moderately toxic 25

Yellow Highly toxic 48

Red Extremely toxic 22

Banned chemicals are used-Calcium Carbide for uniformCalcium Carbide for uniform ripeningp gEndosulphan….

Use of pesticides banned for use in Fruits and Vegetables (monocrotophos)-(monocrotophos)

Methoxy Ethyl Mercury Chloride-Methoxy Ethyl Mercury Chlorideprescribed for restricted use (!!...)

lonly

Metoxy Ethyl Mercury chloride

waitingwaiting PeriodPeriod….Why should we wait??

Not for banana??? Why?Not for banana??? Why?

No mechanism to ensure crop specific useNo mechanism to ensure crop specific use

Restricted use ??? What`s it?No arrangements to ensure restricted useNo arrangements to ensure restricted use..

No problem there…why here?No checks for cross boarder transfersNo checks for cross boarder transfers…..

Application PracticesApplication Practices

More than recommended dose

1400

1600

average

83% 156% 53%

1000

1200

1400 g

R d55%

800

1000

usage

Recommended Dosage /per ha

55%

400

600

0

200

Metacid Acataf Monocrotophos MalathionMetacid Acataf Monocrotophos Malathiontrade name

pesticide Use

43%

1000

120043%

40%

800

600usage Average

200

400 Recommended Dose

0

200

Ek l H hiEkalux Hostathion

trade name

Water-oh it is much less than recommendation

600-66%

400Litre Average

%

200 Recommended Level

0AverageAverage

Indiscriminate /unscientific use

Chemical / Dosage / Time

Method / Spurious ………./Mixtures of chemicals.

No suggested gadgets/precautions

Careless disposal

Punishment for noncompliance-against whom?

Farm owners?

Farm workers?

Agri. Officers?

Traders?

Agent of consultation on the use chemical pesticideschemical pesticides

AgentPaddy Banana

No of respondents No of respondentsNo of respondents No of respondents

Own decision 5(12.5) 6(15)

Friends 7(17 5) 4(10)Friends 7(17.5) 4(10)

Dealer 19(47.5) 18(45)Agricultural Officials 9(22.5) 12(30)

Total 40 (100) 40(100)

Wrongly Targeted Trainings…to be focused on farm workers/sales person

*12 Are you aware of pesticide toxicity 49 51*12 Are you aware of pesticide toxicity 49 51

13 Are you able to understand the level of toxicity, reading the sign on the label

0.6 99.4y, g g

14 Have you attended any trainings / workshops / discussions on pesticide use and care

1.41 98.59

From beginning to endFrom beginning to endDecision making on pesticide use…

Choice of the chemical

Agent of consultation

Concentration of the chemical

Mi i tiMixing practices

Spurious chemicals/mixturesSpurious chemicals/mixtures

Spray practices…..

Some correctionsSome corrections…

Technological Efforts-research focus

Realistic estimates of risk/chances of pest attack

Alternate methods

Bioagents (weed control)

traditional wisdom

InfrastructureInfrastructure

Monitoring Mechanism in pesticide retailing

public sector presenceLicensing system to be changed

Demand pull-Testing facility(cheap,quick,easy) for pesticide residue in agri. products

Education programmeEducation programme

• farmer education through targeted trainingsfarmer education through targeted trainings • to dealers and farm workers • Consumer awarenessConsumer awareness

Awareness regarding the legal status of the chemicals- Information to be displayed onchemicals Information to be displayed on board in front of the sale points, farmer’s clubs and Agricultural Offices. The punishment for violation may also be publicized

# Training support to Farm Workers and Sales persons.

Welfare ProgrammeWelfare Programme

registry of trained applicators at Panchayatregistry of trained applicators at Panchayat level.

They may be provided with protectiveThey may be provided with protective gadgets at subsidized rates-

WORKER WELFARE PROGRAMMES

Regular pest monitoringRegular pest monitoring

Waste ManagementWaste Management

The disposal pattern of used containers may be scientifically managed Themay be scientifically managed. The producers may be directed to collect the empty containers backempty containers back

Better ManagementBetter Management

At panchayat Level.-i t tenvironment management

.