NEWS

Non-judicious use of pesticides by farmers is leading to yearly crop losses exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore. It is also harming 20 per cent of the agrarian land, which have irrigation facilities, in terms of yield and fertility, according to a study by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).The industry body’s conclusion is drawn from a finding of the Committee on Petroleum and Chemicals, which estimated losses to over Rs 90,000 crore due to improper use of pesticides. Farmers are not resorting to scientific methods of spraying of pesticides and insecticides, leading to pests and weeds eating standing crops. The biggest challenge facing Indian agriculture was the knowledge gap of communicating on technology and its benefits. A major policy initiative from the farmers’ view point, highlighting that they were losing their investments in seeds, fertilizer, irrigation and labour due to indifferent use of pesticides was required, the industry body said. The Assocham President, Mr Sajjan Jindal, said poor and inadequate use of pesticides is the primary reason for poor yield of crops, resulting in production loss. Policy document had to accept the use of chemicals becoming a part of technology package, which increase production, productivity and income, he said.