Home-grown vegetables for a healthier life, greener planet

With the coronavirus pandemic increasing awareness about the importance of hygiene and healthy eating habits, people must now be encouraged towards home-grown vegetables - which are free from chemical residues and can also lead to a greener environment, writes A. Harikrishna, editor of the agricultural monthly Annadata.

Hyderabad: We live in a world where everything from vegetables to even milk is toxic. At a time when the air we breathe to the food we eat is polluted, environmental protection has to become a priority.

The use of chemicals that started during the Green Revolution to increase food production has crossed all boundaries. Their indiscriminate usage beyond permissible limits is contaminating food and the chemical residues are entering even the mother's milk and playing with public health security.

The tendency to spray chemicals in shallow lands indiscriminately for higher yields should be prevented. People need to take steps towards organic farming while growing crops at home for safe food.

Excessive use of chemicals is a disaster

In spite of creating great awareness on the indiscriminate use of chemicals, their use is not declining as expected. Due to unscientific use of chemicals, the environment is being polluted and the fertility of the soil is gradually deteriorating. Although the central government introduced a system of soil test cards for soil protection in 2015, the situation has not changed.

Due to the misconception that more use of urea will result in higher yield, the farmers are using it unnecessarily and turning soil shallow. It is in the interest of the farmers that they get their soil tested and apply suitable fertilizers based on the nutrients in the soil. Either they are not getting any tests done, or the tests done are perfunctory and not really useful. For example, when the soil is high in nitrogen and phosphorus, they should not be used. But if they are spread as a routine practice, their deposits in the soil will increase without any benefit. The yield will not increase and the expenses will result in wasteful investment.

Read:Operation Greens scheme extended to 18 more fruits, vegetables: Centre

Lack of awareness among farmers

In the Telugu states, about 50 per cent of the soil is deficient in zinc, 30 per cent in phosphorus, 17 per cent in iron, 12 per cent in boron and five per cent in manganese, according to a study. There is lack of awareness among farmers that they can reduce cost on cultivation if they use chemicals and pesticides cautiously and only as required.

Although many pesticides are banned worldwide, we still use them in the country today. We are still experiencing the side effects of indiscriminate use of Endosulfan in Kerala. It has become routine for the Centre to come up with draft proposals to ban certain pesticides, and due to objections, stop any action. No tough law has been enacted till now.

Use of chemicals high in the Telugu states

Recently, the Centre released a draft proposal banning 27 major pesticides. It outlined in the document how the pesticides are destroying human health. Yet, surprisingly it has been delaying ban on their usage for decades. It is disturbing that in view of the growing importance to food quality, instead of reducing the use of chemicals, it is on the rise. This is evidenced by the recent news that the use of chemicals in the Telugu states is higher than the national average.

Read:Green Leafy Vegetables? A Big NO During Monsoons

At this moment, people are afraid to buy fruits, vegetables and greens. It is disturbing that even after delivery of the produce by the farmer, the merchants are indiscriminately using banned chemicals to prematurely ripen the fruits, vegetables, etc., in the market yards.

Increased awareness with Coronavirus

The Coronavirus pandemic has increased awareness among the public on the importance of hygiene, use of safe food that enhances immunity. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the daily intake of 300 grams of vegetables and 100 grams of fruits per person per day provides the body with essential nutrients.

More and more people are now showing interest in cultivating home crops. When all-round adulteration is harming public health, malignant diseases such as cancer are rampant with food containing chemical residues. At the moment, there is a great need to grow backyard gardens in whatever little space available.

Should be widely publicised

There has been an increasing trend in recent times to grow own home-grown vegetables without having to buy them from the market, either around the house in the villages or on the balconies and roof-tops of towns and cities. The Department of Horticulture also subsidizes and encourages their cultivation. In addition to getting fresh vegetables free from chemical residues throughout the year, home gardening can help reduce pollution and make the environment cleaner, greener and more pleasant.

Read:Who will seed organic India?

The work in the home garden keeps the body healthy with proper exercise. Also, we can get our choicest vegetables readily available. Since the horticulture department provides subsidies for their cultivation, the department should extensively spread the news and encourage people in rural and urban areas to develop home gardens and the benefits of following organic farming practices.

Governments' role and encouragement

In order to positively mould and change the mind-set of the world population towards safe food, the governments need to promote organic farming on a large scale. At a time when the importance of organic farming is increasing, the use of chemical-free living and organic fertilizers should be encouraged.

It is a good development that the Centre has recently taken steps to thoroughly test their quality. As part of this, the Centre has ordered monitoring of fertilizer tests and the setting up of training centers for those working in them. In the process of crop rotation, care should be taken to select crops that can make use of the available nutrients and strengthen the soil so that the natural nutrients of the soil are not depleted. Also, the natural and organic farming practices rooted in Indian culture and tradition should be widely promoted.

Read:West Bengal tea takes an organic leap

Taking advantage of the post-Corona conditions as an opportunity, promoting home-grown vegetables, etc., can improve health as well as environmental benefits.

Safe, environment friendly

Interest in safe food and healthy lifestyle is growing in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic that has severely affected the world. The food we eat is chemically poisoned and there is a threat of fatal diseases. At this juncture, it is most essential now than earlier for the government to take committed steps towards safe food, public health and environmental protection. To this end, the use of chemicals should be significantly reduced, organic farming practices should be popularized and homegrown crops should be encouraged on a large scale.