The Union Government opted to keep using 24 pesticides following a detailed evaluation of 27 pesticides by a constituted expert committee, based on considerable evidence on safety and efficacy supplied by the pesticides industry. This decision has been hailed and commended by the agricultural community, especially small-holding farmers who have been using these products safely on several crops for decades.
Because these pesticides are made in India, this step will ensure that Indian farmers continue to have access to crop protection technologies at a reasonable price.
The government’s decision to keep using these critical 24 pesticides demonstrates the realities of agriculture and the importance of farmers having access to affordable technology in order to produce quality food at a reasonable price, as opposed to exorbitantly expensive imported substitute pesticides.
Farmers around the country have applauded the government’s move, stating that access to safe and effective pesticides is important for crop protection and a strong harvest. The continuous use of these 24 important pesticides is a key step towards protecting India’s food production system while preserving farmers’ ability to produce food in an efficient and sustainable manner.
“As farmers, we know how important it is to have access to safe and effective pesticides to protect our crops and ensure a good harvest,” said Gavneet Singh, director of Ambala Farmer Producer Organisations in Haryana. This government decision is a welcome move because these pesticides are still approved by state agriculture universities and farmers have expertise using them safely on their crops.”
“This is an important step towards safeguarding yield and livelihood,” said Harpreet Singh, CEO of Pehowa Farmer Producer Organisations in Haryana. We have experience with these herbicides and are confident in their efficacy. Choosing any option might have had an impact on our input prices and total production.”
Controlling pests and diseases is crucial to ensuring the quality and safety of our food supply. The continuous use of these 24 key pesticides is a vital step since these pesticides are also employed in combination with relatively new products to control resistance against possibly resistant weeds, insects, and illnesses.
Insect infestations can cause agricultural losses ranging from 20% to 30%, including grains kept in warehouses. Pesticides are also utilised as smart fumigants for grain storage in wheat, rice, pulses, and oilseeds to protect crops against storage insects.
The Union Government has already approved the use of drones for safer and more effective pesticide application. Controlling pests and diseases is crucial to ensuring the quality and safety of our food supply. Pesticides are carefully engineered to target certain pests and illnesses, and their usage is closely controlled to ensure that non-target creatures or the environment are not harmed.