Need for pesticides

June 8, 2009

Studies show that good cheap pesticides are the only way to keep malaria under control. The government allows the use of DDT, BHC and Malathion, among the more persistent and 20 banned pesticides, in public health spraying. So does WHO. Sweeping statements? No, it’s the other side of environment scare. This is not to say we should have pesticides for breakfast. Pesticides are dangerous, toxic chemicals and we should keep away from them. But they are deadly only for the target. Farmers cannot do without them. And they treat them like we use and benefit from potentially dangerous things everyday- cars, electricity, hot water and aspirin. Pesticides could be deadly but so are a few vitamin B12 tablets taken together, or a handful of salt. Even our chlorinated tap water is riskier. In fact, natural carcinogens and other toxins are present in all plants tom protect them against fungi, insects and animal predators. India is one of the lowest users of pesticides – 260gm per hectare – though the industry has been robust since the 60’s, with even the government as producer (Hindustan insecticides). A certain amount of pesticides is deadly for the insects because pesticides are sprayed in relation to the weight of the pest infestation. To kill or die, you need a large quantity of pesticides. So the dose is much important. See more about this in the next post.