It is not that the farmers do not know that the excessive use of pesticides on vegetables and crops will affect human health and the environment. However, they have been saying that 'there is no other option to save the crops from the pest infestation'. According to experts, immediate problems such as headache or chest pain, vomiting, ringworm, fainting, and red eyes are seen when eating vegetables that have been treated with pesticides. Its long-term effects are many. Raju Chaudhary of Kantipur had a conversation with Sahdev Humagai, the former head of Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center about the use of pesticides in vegetables, its alternatives and prevention:
How are farmers using pesticides on vegetables?
The use of chemical pesticides in vegetables and other products is increasing. When using pesticides, they do not identify the quantity. Pesticides are being used based on speculation. Lack of awareness is the main reason for increasing use of pesticides. There is a lack of public awareness among ordinary farmers. It seems that there has been a reduction in the amount of pesticides in places where there is public awareness . There is emphasis on the use of organic fertilizers. Farmer groups are also involved. But the problem of pesticides has been seen in new commercial pocket areas . Pesticide awareness programs have not reached. That is why the use of chemical pesticides is increasing in the new pocket areas of vegetables. Looking at the statistics and trend of pesticide import, it seems the same.
How much pesticide should be used, what difference do you see compared to the international level and Nepal?
How much pesticide to use depends on the crop and the disease. A study conducted a few years ago found that 16.5 grams per hectare of AI pesticides were used in Nepal. A registration certificate is issued for the import of pesticides. The index contains usage methods and information . After using pesticides on vegetables, it is necessary to wait for some time . All that is mentioned in the index . But that index card could not reach the farmers . The government could not deliver. As a result, the situation of pesticides has become dire. When it comes to international trends, we use less than developed countries including Japan and Korea. But we didn't manage . Not professional. We could not deliver the method . That is why the problem has appeared.
Why didn't the index reach the farmers? Whose responsibility is it to deliver ?
It is the responsibility of the government to make farmers aware and public awareness. Now there are three tiers of government. There are various agencies in the agricultural sector. Union and state governments have their own bodies. Local government also has its own agency. Those bodies should be aware of the method of using pesticides and the effects that pesticides can have. Priority should be given to bringing the program . If everyone fulfills their responsibility, farmers can become aware of pesticides.
Who is more affected by the wrong use of pesticides, the farmer or the consumer?
Farmers use pesticides to manage pests. But they don't do it safely. First of all, it affects the farmers. Wear protective clothing and use pesticides. But no one has noticed. The main thing is the lack of public awareness.
If you don't pay attention when using pesticides, apply pesticides more often, and use more doses of pesticides, the animation rate will increase . Consuming vegetables with pesticides has three levels of impact. In the first stage, symptoms such as feeling tired, headache, shortness of breath, ringing, and hand swelling appear. In the second level, there are problems such as vomiting, chest pain, difficulty, nausea, abdominal pain, stool-diarrhea. When reaching the third level, fainting may occur. In the long term, it causes cancer and heart disease.
How can pesticide alternatives and prevention be done?
The next option is biological pesticides . Production has also started in the country. But as much as it should have been, it has not been done . It seems that there is also import . The first responsibility of the government is to prevent problems caused by pesticides. The three governments should strictly monitor the misuse of pesticides. Public awareness should be spread to the farmers . Management should be made aware.
