Pesticides play a sensitive role in food systems. we can see a visible parallel correlation between higher productivity, high chemical input use and environmental degradation and human health effects. There is need to be aware of pesticides pollution, its impact and make policies for its reduction.

1. Economics of pesticide use, its impact
and policies
By
Almaszabeen Badekhan
BAM-15-43

2. Introduction
• Pesticides play a sensitive role in food systems.
• There is visible parallel correlation between higher
productivity, high chemical input use and environmental
degradation and human health effects .
• A significant portion of the chemicals applied has proved to be
excessive, uneconomic or unnecessary both in industrialized
and developing countries.
• New research results indicate that pesticides increase the risk
of severe health problems like cancer, Parkinson, Alzheimer’s
disease , dementia etc.
• Multiple pesticide residues are found in food, drinking water,
surface waters, breast milk and urine.

3. Myths
Myth #1 : "Pesticides aren't that dangerous“
Myth #2 : "The dose makes the poison“
Myth #3 : "The government is protecting us"
Myth #4 : "GMOs reduce reliance on pesticides"
Myth #5 : "Pesticides are necessary to feed the world“
Myth#6: "Washing fruits and vegetables removes pesticides
residues"

4. Pesticide consumption
• Over the past 20 years Global pesticide use has grown to 3.5 billion
kg active ingredients per year, amounting to a global market worth
$45 billion (Pretty,2015)
• Globally, glyphosate formulations account for more than 50% of total
herbicide use and are applied on more than 80% on the GM crops.
HCH (gamma-HCH ), DDT and malathion account for about 70 % of
the total pesticide consumption.

5. • Herbicides account for 42%, insecticides 27%, fungicides 22%
and disinfectants and other agrochemicals 9% of global
pesticide sales. (Pretty,2015)
herbicides
42%
insecticides
27%
disinfectants
22%
others
9%

6. Pesticide consumption
17
13
12
7 7
5 5
0.5
Taiwan China Japan USA korea France UK India
Unit: (Kg/ha)

7. • The main reason for low per capita consumption of pesticides in
India is low purchasing power of farmers and small land holdings.
• On the contrary, the consumption of herbicides in India is
probably low, because weed control is mainly done manually.
• Despite development of newer pesticide, restricted pesticides still
remain the choice of small farmers because they are cost-effective,
easily available and display a wide spectrum of bioactivity.
If farmers reduce the total quantity of pesticide active
ingredient applied, but simultaneously substitute highly twice
toxic mobile and persistent chemicals for relatively lower
quantities, it is difficult to argue that environment has gained
(Mullen et al 1997).

8. Pesticides Consumption in India
80 % are in the form of insecticides, 15 % are herbicides, 2 %
are fungicides and less than 3 % are others. (De Arnab, 2014)
insecticides
80%
herbicides
15%
fungicides
2%
others
3%

9. Crop wise pesticide consumption (FICCI, 2013)
cotton
50%
rice
18%
plantation crops
8%
fruits and
vegetables
14%
sugarcane
2%
cereals ,milletsand
oilseeds
7%
others
1%

10. Consumption of Chemical Pesticides
Unit: M.T. Technical Grade
State 2014-15
Uttar Pradesh 9,736
Maharashtra 8,663
Punjab 5,689
Haryana 4,070
Andhra Pradesh 4,050
West Bengal 3,060
Telangana 2,862
Rajasthan 2,694
Tamil nadu 2,096
Jammu & Kashmir 1,921
Other states 11,280
Total pesticide consumption in India 56,121
Source: States/UTs Zonal Conferences on Inputs
(Plant Protection)

11. Estimated Demand of Chemical Pesticides
Unit: M.T. Technical Grade
State 2015-16(As
on 09.11.2016)
Projected Demand (As for
2016-17 on 09.11.2016)
Maharashtra 16,327 13,342
Uttar Pradesh 10,854 10,667
Punjab 6,376 6,420
Andhra Pradesh 4,350 4,250
Telangana 4,135 4,043
Other states 16,608 16,408
Total estimated demand of
chemical pesticides in India
58,650 55,130
Source: States/UTs Zonal Conferences on
Inputs (Plant Protection)

12. Pesticide wise demand

13. Insecticides 2014-15 2015-16 (As on09.11.2016)
Chlorpyriphos 4412 (2013-14) 502
Methyl Parathion 795 714
Quinalphos 563 533
Phorate 489 432
Fipronil 431 430
Dichlorovas 414 406
Cartap Hydrochloride 371 267
Carbofuron 359 339
Acephate 357 340
Triazophos 338 307
Monocrotophos 323 420
Profenophos 320 334
Imidachloropid 297 308
Cypermethrin 246 295
Fenvelrate 215 231
Dimethoate 208 204
Others 1968 1590
Total demand of all Insecticides in India 7694 7652
Unit: M.T. Technical Grade)Source : States /UTs, Zonal Conference on inputs(PP).

14. Fungicides 2014-15 2015-16
(As on
09.11.2016)
Mancozeb 2,202 2,193
Sulphur (dust and WP) 1,380 1,649
Carbendazim 493 587
Copper Oxychloride 390 425
Zineb 304 358
Thiram 259 278
Hexaconazole 214 220
Copper sulphate 150 173
others 525 885
Total demand for all
Fungicides
5917 6768
(Unit: M.T. Technical Grade)
Source : States /UTs, Zonal Conference on inputs(PP).

15. Weedicides 2014-15 2015-16
(As on
09.11.2016)
Butachlor 892 760
glyphosate 631 522
Isoproturon 622 102
Pretichlor 254 348
pendimethalene 247 --
Paraquat dichloride 200 82
metribuzin 100 98
others 1606 1708
Total demand of
weedicides
4552 3620
Unit: M.T. Technical Grade)

16. chemicals 2014-15 2016-17(As on
09.11.2016)
Rodenticides 242 304
Plant growth regulator 31 41
Other Chemical Pesticides -- 101
TOTAL CHEMICAL
PESTICIDES
18,436 18,484
BIOPESTICIDES 27,569 24,582
(Unit: M.T. Technical Grade)
Source : States /UTs, Zonal Conference on inputs(PP).

17. Summary of tables
(Unit: M.T. Technical Grade)
total demand 2014-15 2015-16 (As on
09.11.2016)
Agrochemicals 18,436 18,484
Insecticides 7,694 7,652
Fungicides 5,917 6,768
Weedicides 4,552 3,620

18. Production Of Pesticides
PESTICIDE 2015-16
Insecticides 77,324
Fungicides 70,261
Herbicides 32,689
Rodenticides 7,250
Grand Total 1,87,524
Top 3 pesticides 2015-16
Mancozeb 66,380
2,4 D 18,456
Acephate 16,580
(Unit: M.T. Technical Grade)
Source: Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals,

20. Top Companies in India by Market Capitalization -
BSE
Pesticides and Agrochemicals Market Capital (Rs. cr)
Bayer CropScien 13,374.42
PI Industries 12,113.81
Rallis India 4,951.18
Monsanto India 4,355.65
Sharada Crop 4,152.85
Dhanuka Agritech 4,076.09
Excel Crop Care 1,950.20
Insectides India 1,137.45
Bharat Rasayan 1,130.99
Meghmani Organi 976.57
Nagarjuna Agric 437.20
As on 17th march 2017

21. Deccan Chronicle article
• In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states The Ministry of Agriculture
found pesticide residue in 800 food samples and residue exceeding
permissible levels in 100 samples out of a total 1,920 samples in the
two states in 2015 (46 per cent food samples with pesticide residues)
way higher than any other state in the country.
• There are about 13,600 pesticide dealers in the two Telugu states.
Even though there are regulatory bodies to monitor and regulate
production and safety of pesticides, there has been no mechanism to
monitor the usage at the ground level.
oct 18th 2016

22. What pesticide use would be desirable
for society?
• The negative externalities should at least not be
higher than the value generated by using pesticides.
• It is therefore reasonable to combine all available
know-how and forces in order to identify pathways
for gradual reduction of pesticide use.

25. Pesticides and health
• Many such pesticides are known to cross the placental barrier;
for example, OPPs have been detected in the amniotic fluid
surrounding the fetus, posing a threat to the unborn child
during a period of rapid brain development (Rauh et al. 2011).
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex
disorder and the precise causes are unknown. Around 8-9% of
school-age children are thought to have ADHD in the US
(Pastor and Reuben 2008).
• Turner et al. (2010) analysed the findings of 15 studies that
examined home and garden use of unspecified insecticides and
herbicides.

26. • There is also evidence that fertility of both men and women may be
reduced with increased pesticide exposure (Abell et al. 2000; Oliva et
al. 2001)
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently classified
the widely used herbicide glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to
humans .
• Anjali Choudhary (2014) gave relationship between the extent of
pesticide used and signs and symptoms of illnesses due to pesticide
exposure among farmers of Bhopal. 105 farmers were interviewed
.farmers reported maximum signs of illness like burning/stinging of
eyes (18.42 per cent), blurred vision (23.68 per cent), skin
redness/itching (50 per cent), excessive sweating/shortness of breath
(34.2 per cent), dry sore throat (21.05 per cent) and burning of nose
(28.9 per cent).

27. Pesticides and the environment
• Desalegn Begna (2014) studied assessment of Pesticides Use and its
economic Impact on the Apiculture Subsector in Selected Districts of
Amhara Region, Ethiopia . His assessment revealed three years trend
analysis of honeybee colony number and honey yield, it indicated
dramatic decline due to indiscriminate use of pesticides caused
fatalities on 22,987 honeybee colonies and incurred economic loss
amounting USD 8,19,291.37.
• Farmed animals can also accumulate pesticides from contaminated
feed and from veterinary pesticide application. These substances are
generally stored in the fat and muscles of the animals, some can also
be found in the brain, liver, lungs and other offal (LeDoux 2011).

28. Aggravated pest problems
• Pesticide use reduces populations of beneficial insects. As pests
usually recover faster than their predators, pesticide use can aggravate
subsequent incidence of pest outbreak.
• In some cases there is rise of pests that previously were of minor
importance.
• Cotton and rice are two historical examples of induced pest problems
by mismanagement and overuse of insecticides.
• Another growing concern is that pests and weeds increasingly develop
resistance to pesticides.
• New pesticides are developed or combinations of pesticides are used
in order to control them, resulting in additional costs and new side
effects.

29. Economics of pesticide use
• Pesticide application in agriculture has obvious short-term
economic benefits. They may reduce the costs of production or
reduce crop loss due to pest or disease infestation.
• However, pesticides also cause costs to society in terms of
health and environmental costs. These external costs are not
(yet) reflected in the market price of pesticides.
• Due to methodological difficulties and lack of data it is
extremely difficult to quantify external costs of pesticide use.

30. • Estimates are in the range of US$4-19 per kg active ingredient,
or $19-106 per ha cropland (Pretty,2015). With some 3.5
billion kg applied worldwide, this would suggest annual costs
of $10-60 billion, for a market size of $45 billion.
• Stockpiles of obsolete pesticides exist in many of the least
developed countries and are a particularly high risk in
situations of political instability. The root causes of the
accumulation of these wastes are poor pesticide regulation and
management and over-reliance on chemical pesticides
• Disposal of obsolete stocks is an extremely expensive
undertaking which poses an economic burden on the
governments and societies.

31. Strategies available for pesticide
reduction
• Agronomic practices
• Resistant crops
• Bio-control and natural pesticides
• Integrated Pest Management
• Agroecology
• Organic agriculture
• Use of less hazardous pesticides

32. International policies and
instruments

33. Rotterdam Convention
• It was signed on 10th September 1998(effective from 24th
February 2004).
• The seventh meeting of the Rotterdam Conference was held from
4 May to 15 May 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland
• The convention has 156 parties, which includes 154 UN member
states, the Cook Islands, and the European Union. non-member
states include the United States, Turkey, Iraq, and Angola.(As on
November 2016)
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent
Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides
in International Trade is a multilateral treaty to promote shared
responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals.

34. • It covers international trade in hazardous chemicals with the
aim of protecting human health and the environment.
• If all parties agree that a specific pesticide constitutes severe
health or environmental hazards it can be listed for prior
informed consent procedures.
• Exporting countries of these chemicals has to notify importing
authorities on data of known hazards. As any party can veto
the listing of a pesticide (the process is rather slow).
• Currently the convention lists 33 pesticides.

35. Stockholm Convention
• It is an international environmental treaty ,was signed on 22
May 2001 (effective from17 May 2004).
• There are 181 parties to the Convention, (180 states and
the European Union). Notable non-ratifying states include the
United States, Israel, Malaysia, and Italy. (As of March 2016 )
• It aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of
persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
• Based on a specified review process pesticides that fulfill the
criteria for POPs can be listed for elimination or restriction.

36. The International Code of Conduct on
Pesticide Management
• The International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management
is a voluntary framework that has been endorsed by the FAO
Members and supported by key pesticide industry associations
and civil society organizations .
• It became a role model to the development of pesticide
legislation.
• The major pesticide companies have agreed to abide by the
Code of Conduct.

37. Strategic Approach to International
Chemicals Management (SAICM)
• It was formed on 6 February 2006
• It is a voluntary policy framework and strategy facilitated by UNEP to
promote chemical safety around the world.
• It includes 175 Governments, 85 NGOs, including a broad range of
representatives from industry and civil society. (As of 12 June 2015)
• It brings together stakeholders and sectors that include agriculture,
environment, health, industry, labour, economics, science and
academia to catalyse achievement of the goal by 2020 that chemicals
will be produced and used in ways that minimize adverse effects on
human health and the environment.

38. The Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues
(JMPR)
• It is an expert ad hoc body administered jointly by FAO and
WHO with the purpose of harmonizing the requirement and
the risk assessment on the pesticide residues.
• The JMPR has met annually since 1963 to conduct scientific
evaluations of pesticide residues in food
• It recommends acceptable residue levels in food and feed
commodities and provides guidance on pesticide product
quality parameters for regulatory and trade purposes .

39. Measures Undertaken by Government of
India for Judicious and Proper Use of
Pesticides

40. Monitoring of Pesticide
residue at National Level
• The scheme was initiated during 2005-06 and is being
implemented through Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
New Delhi .
• It has 23 participating laboratories from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment and
Forest, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry
of Chemical and Fertilizers, Ministry of Commerce and State
Agricultural Universities

41. Objectives and Targets
• To test residues of pesticides, their metabolites and other
contaminants in food and environment samples.
• To identify crops and regions having preponderance of
pesticide residue contamination in order to focus extension
efforts for IPM and GAP aimed at judicious use of pesticides.
• To strengthen infrastructure at Plant Quarantine Stations to
assess the contamination of pesticide residues in imported food
commodities.
• To check and certify presence of pesticide residues in food for
export.

42. During the period April 2010 to March 2013, commodities which have
frequently showed the presence of pesticides residues above MRL are

43. Strengthening and Modernization of
Plant Quarantine Facilities in India
• The purpose and intent of this Act is to prevent the
introduction of any insect, fungus or pest which is or could be
destructive to crops. In total 36 Plant Quarantine Stations
(PQSs) and 21 extension/camp offices .
Objectives of the Scheme
• To prevent the introduction and spread of exotic pests that are
destructive to the country by regulating the import of plants
and plant products through adequate policy and statutory
measures.
• To support India’s agricultural exports through credible export
certification.

44. • To facilitate safe global trade in agriculture by assisting
producers, exporters and importers and by providing
technically comprehensive and credible Phytosanitary
certification.
Activities taken up during the XII Plan
• Development & Strengthening of facilities at existing 36 PQ
Stations
• Establishment of PQ Stations at the Notified Points of Entry
• Development of an Integrated Export Certification System
• Development of an Integrated Phytosanitary Border Control
System
• Development of an Integrated Information Management
System

45. • Establishment of Molecular Diagnostic facilities
• Strengthening of Integrated Pest Risk Analysis System
• Strengthening of Integrated Pest Surveillance System
• Strengthening of Human Resource Development (HRD) Cell
• Strengthening of X-Ray Baggage Scanners (organic) at the
International Terminals of Major Airports
• Strengthening of Taxonomy Unit

46. INSECTICIDES ACT
(Act No. 46 of 1968)
• The Insecticides Act was passed by Parliament in 1968 to
regulate the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution
and use of insecticides with a view to prevent risks to human
beings or animals and for matters connected therewith.
• The Act was enforced throughout the country in August, 1971
and the rules were framed there under in October, 1971.

47. Objectives
• To register only safe and efficacious pesticides .
• To ensure that the farmers/users get quality product for controlling
the pests.
• To prescribe usages of pesticides both from ground and air and also
important precautions for their handling and use.
• To minimize health hazards from the pesticide residues through
contaminated food, water and air.
• To ensure that the pesticides are properly packed and labeled to avoid
any leakage of the hazardous pesticides in transit and to provide
enough instructions for their safe handling and use.
• To ensure that the pesticide industry manufacture, transport, distribute,
store and sell as per the prescribed regulations, failing which legal
action is taken.

48. Pesticides Management Bill
• The Pesticides Management Bill was introduced in the Rajya
Sabha on October 21, 2008.
• The Bill seeks to regulate the manufacture, quality, import,
export and sale of pesticides to control pests, ensure
availability of quality pesticides and minimize contamination
of agricultural commodities with pesticide residue.
• It repeals the Insecticides Act, 1968.

49. “Grow Safe Food” campaign
• The pesticide residue data generated under the “Monitoring of
Pesticide Residues at National Level” are shared with State
Governments and concerned Ministries/Organizations to
initiate the corrective action for judicious and proper use of
pesticides on crops .
• Department of Agriculture, Co-Operation & Farmers Welfare
(DAC&FW) emphasizes Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
.It has established 35 Central IPM centers in different states to
promote IPM Strategies.

50. • DAC&FW has revised 68 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Packages of Practices for major crops giving impetus to
ecological and cultural techniques of pest management.
• Human Resource Development in IPM is done by imparting
training to Agriculture / Horticulture Extension Officers and
farmers at Grass Root Level by organizing Farmers Fields
Schools (FFSs) and Seasonal Long Training Programmes
(SLTPs).
• Grant-in-aid is also provided to the States for establishment
/strengthening of State Biocontrol Laboratories. A total of 313
SBCLs have been established across India.

51. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana has been launched by GoI
in 2015 to support and promote organic farming and also to
improve soil health.
• This will encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly concept of
cultivation and reduce their dependence on fertilizers and
agricultural chemicals .
• Organic farming will be promoted by using traditional
resources and the organic products will be linked with the
market. It will increase domestic production and certification
of organic produce by involving farmers.
• In order to implement the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana in
2015-16, an amount of Rs.300 crore has been allocated.

52. Pesticides in Agriculture – A Boon or a
Curse? A Case Study of Kerala
Indira Devi P
Economic & Political Weekly
June 26, 2010

53. • Pesticide use pattern and associated management system.
• Recent declining rate in total consumption of pesticides.
• Pesticides used in agriculture.
• Spray fluid concentration and handling pattern.
• Awareness level of farmers.
• Data management and monitoring system.
• Present level of investment in chemical pest control.

54. 462.05

55. • Contrary to the global and national pattern, 73% of the Kerala
pesticide market is that of fungicides followed by a mere 20%
of insecticides. This may be due to the climatic factors and
cropping pattern in Kerala.

56. 1995-96 to 2005-06.

57. • Out of the 43 formulations of pesticides, 10 exhibited an
increasing rate of consumption.
• The annual compound growth rate varied from the low 0.31%
(Aluminum Phosphide) to the high 107.54% (Lindane).
• Cypermethrin, Fenvalerate and neem based insecticides
registered an increase of 21-30% and Methyl Parathion
16.83%.
• Chloripyriphos consumption rose at 7.5%.

59. • 33 formulations showed declining trend, 19 are insecticides,
7 fungicides, 3 weedicides and the rest are rodenticides.
• 9 formulations were showing a rate of decline of less than
10% ,4 in the range of 10-20%, 7 in the range of 21-30% and
13 in the range of 30% to 100%.
• The highest rate of decline among the insecticides was that of
Fenitrothion and the lowest that of Carbendazim (1.12%).

61. Pesticide Use in Kerala
• The pesticide application in bitter gourd starts from the time of
transplanting.
• 15 chemicals applied for pest control ,8 are insecticides, 4 are
fungicides, 1 weedicide and 2 plant growth stimulators.
• So on an average, Acetamaprid is sprayed 6 times, Phorate and
Dimethoate 5 times each, Quinalphos and Indoxacarb 4 times
each and the rest 3-4 times each.
• During a crop cycle of 90 days, farmers apply pesticides as
many as 50 times in bitter gourd.

62. • The application level is higher than the recommended level of
the chemical by 0 to 900% in bitter gourd and 0-550% in
pineapple. At the same time, the water used for diluting the
chemical to the desired Concentration level is often less than
the recommended level (Devi 2007).
• Kerala Agricultural University recommends only Carbaryl,
Malathion, Dimethoate and Phosphamidon for the bitter gourd
crop, on a need based manner. Mechanical and cultural
management practices are recommended. Similar is the case
with the crops like banana, mango, pineapple and paddy when
it is grown on a commercial scale (Devi 2009).

63. • In this study 54% of spraying in banana, are the most toxic
chemicals (class Ia or Ib) that amounts to 83% of the quantity
applied. Class II chemicals are sprayed in 48% of spray events
in mango and 38% in banana. The safest chemical (class U)
was applied only in 2% of spraying in mango and none in
banana.
• In majority of cases of pesticide use, the quantity of chemical
used is found to be much higher than the recommended levels
(21% to 275% higher in mango and 150% to 400% higher in
banana).

64. • Nevertheless, some form of protective covering of body parts
was adopted by 71% of the respondents while spraying. In
21% of the cases, it was mainly the full-sleeved shirts.
However, it was noted that some were rolling up the sleeves
while the spraying/mixing was being done.
• Forty-eight per cent tied a piece of cloth around their noses. A
mere 1% used some form of eye protection (e g, ordinary
spectacles or googles) though most of them reported eye
irritation after spraying.

66. • One-third of the workers read the label on the pesticide packet. But
only less than 3% follow the instructions.
• The scientific categorisation based on colour code is rarely
understood. Sixty-three per cent of the farm workers know that
pesticides with different levels of toxicity are available in the market,
starting from relatively safe ones to highly toxic. But 99.5% of them
could not understand the toxicity level reading the colour code on the
bottle.
• The majority (69.65%) were spraying toxic (highly/extremely) ones.
• Forty-two per cent of them wash the bottle/sprayer in the nearby
water bodies.

67. • Most of them consider the wind direction while spraying. But
they do not postpone the spraying even when there is wind.
• 4% of the respondents have ever attended the training on pest
control aspects. The department trainings are mostly focused
on farmers. But this study shows that in majority of cases of
spraying (79%), the farmer does not supervise and prefer to
stay away from the field, entrusting the work with the
applicator.

68. Quality Control and Monitoring System
• The department of agriculture, is the monitoring and licensing
agency as envisaged in the insecticides control order. The
agricultural officers are designated as the insecticide inspectors.
In addition, there are separate quality control laboratories in
various parts of the state.
• The supply arrangements are led by the private sector with 1,442
sale points followed by cooperatives (627 outlets). The role of
public sector is slowly becoming insignificant.
• Though there is a licensing system in this sector, the sale is often
Unregulated traders have neither the technical expertise nor the
training support to offer scientific technical advice.

69. • Traders are often guided by producing or marketing firms.
Mostly the recommendation of a pesticide is influenced by the
level of commission offered by the producer.
• In an effort to ensure the quality of the pesticides, the
department collected samples from the market and tested at
the quality control lab located at different parts of the state.
The results of the analysis and action taken report when
compiled shows that substandard pesticide samples are often
reported. Until recently, little action was taken on such reports.
The only action was often to stop the sale of the particular
substandard batch of pesticide; however, by the time such
decisions were implemented, most of the pesticides were
already sold.

71. The Direct Damages: Human
Health Impacts
• Pesticide poisoning is intentional in most of the cases (85-
97%). 900 to 1,000 suicides/year, i.e 60% are by consuming
pesticides. The autopsy reports showed that more than 95% of
poisoning death was due to insecticides.
• During January 2006, results have shown that out of 32
poisoning cases, 70% as due to pesticides. The commonly used
ones are Furadan, Malathion and Rat Poison (Jayakrishnan
2006).

72. • The victims of unintentional pesticide poisoning are often
children due to careless storage and disposal of pesticide
containers.
• A case reported from Kerala in 1958, of pesticide
contaminated wheat flour and resultant poisoning initiated the
formation of legal framework for pesticide use and handling in
the country.
• Data shows only 16 cases in 2003-04, seven cases in 2004-05
and two cases in 2005-06.
• However, the dependence on private healthcare is more in
Kerala. When the health damage is perceived to be severe,
private hospitals are preferred.

73. • Usually, poisoning symptoms (vomiting, cramps and breathing
problems) that require immediate medical advice are
manifested immediately after the spray event, or during it. In
such cases, the nearest medical facilities are explored.
• Among the respondents 83% had been working as pesticide
applicators for the past 10 years or more followed by 17% for
the past 5-10 years . Every three out of four respondents
experienced at least one episode of severe health damage
immediately after the spray and sought formal medical help or
hospitalised.
• Proportionally more applicators were seeking medical help as
they continued to be there in the job (28.13% to 46.25%).

74. • In Kuttanad area, Most of the farmers were aware of these
negative impacts and were willing to incur an additional cost
of Rs 138 per ha of rice farming for an ecofriendly agricultural
practice.
• The micro level study on this aspect (the SANDEE-funded
project) had found 73 cases of hospitalisation due to
occupational exposure among a sample of 1,135 spray events
in Kuttanad area alone during the summer rice season. The
average expected health costs to the pesticide applicators in
this case was estimated to Rs 38 per spray event (Devi 2007).
• Moreover, despite a high literacy rate and awareness level the
health risk, perceptions and avertive action are not scientific.

75. Productivity Impacts
• Pesticide is considered as an integral input for crop production
during the green revolution regime. The application of
pesticides was justified due to social and economic
consideration, when food security was the major concern.
However, these estimates were made without any regard for
the environmental and human health effects of pesticide use.
• The results of analysis by Birthal (2003) implied that it is
possible to reduce pesticide use without any concomitant
decline in agriculture productivity, though initially crop yields
might experience a slight decline.

77. • For all crops It indicates a 0.37% decline in the value of total
agricultural production index for every 1% increase in quantity
of pesticide application.
• The fall is estimated at 0.08% for foodgrains production index,
which is statistically significant at 1% level.
• However, for non-foodgrains, which account for 50% of area
under cultivation in Kerala, the impact of pesticide application
is revealed as positive and significant (5%). It is predicted to
affect a 0.19% increase in the value of index for 1% increase
in consumption level. None of the other variables (irrigated
area and fertiliser use) are proved to have any significant
impact on output index.

78. • Attempts at taking the cost of pest control as a variable (labour
plus material cost) in crops like mango, banana, pineapple and
bitter gourd, applying the Cobb Douglas production function
provides mixed results.
• The impact of pest management cost on banana and pineapple
cultivation was found to be of not significantly different from
zero. The expenditure on pest control, in mango and bitter
gourd were found to have a significant positive impact on
returns.
• Though the MVP is positive the MVP/MFC ratio is negative
suggesting uneconomic levels of investments. These findings
underline the observation that investment in chemical pest
control in agriculture is irrational.

79. Conclusions and Recomendations
• The rising level of consumption of undesirable chemicals while
the safer ones are used in smaller quantities.
• The micro-level explorations shows there is use of banned
chemicals for sale in Kerala, in fruits/vegetables and those
permitted for restricted use only.
• The handling pattern was observed to be unscientific. Farmers
usually opt for the most toxic chemicals, while the safer
substitutes are technically sufficient.
• Awareness should be created regarding the legal status of the
restricted chemicals which is very low.

80. • The training provided is mostly targeted at the farmers, while
the actual spray operation is conducted by the farm workers.
Along with this, the awareness of the direct human health
impacts of unscientific pesticide handling should be provided
The data from micro level studies reflects several cases of
pesticide poisoning and resultant health damages.
• The training and awareness creation programme can be framed
in a manner to disseminate this aspect. It will be better if the
information is displayed on boards in front of the sale points,
farmers’ clubs and agricultural offices.
• Training programmes in safe pest control mechanism may
also be focused on farm workers, traders as well as general
public.

81. • The monitoring and quality control mechanism by the
department of agriculture often fails to be very effective. Most
often the sales data is not regularly furnished by the retailers,
which is mandatory.
• The need for effective policy interventions and extension
mechanism to regulate the use of pesticides in agriculture,
while aiming at the food safety and security issues.
• Cheap, quick and non-destructive methods of detecting
pesticide residues in raw fruits and vegetables should be made
more popular.
• Ecologically safe agricultural management system can only be
achieved with combined policy efforts which include adequate
legal support, effective monitoring and voluntary action by the
stakeholders.

82. Nature is in perfect balance when
left alone
Thank you

83. References
• Devi., P. I .2010.Pesticides in Agriculture – A Boon or a
Curse? A Case Study of Kerala. Economic & Political Weekly.
vol 26 & 27
• Pretty., J and Bharucha., Z. P. 2015. Integrated Pest
Management for Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture in
Asia and Africa. Insects.(6)152-182
• www.ppqs.gov.in
• www.wikipedia.org