Himachal Pradesh: Farmers fear loss of income as govt plans to ban 27 pesticides

Farmers in Himachal Pradesh fear loss of income as the central government plans to ban 27 widely used pesticides considered dangerous for humans and animals. The farmers also demanded sufficient alternatives before imposing the ban.

Shimla (HP): As the central government plans to ban 27 widely used pesticides for having dangerous effects on human as well as animal lives, farmers in Himachal Pradesh fear loss of income and productivity while demanding sufficient alternatives before imposing the ban.

"Organic farming will reduce our productivity. How will we control plant diseases such as apple scab which is prevalent in both Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh this year," Dimple Panjata, a gardener told ETV Bharat.

Echoing Panjata's concerns, Prem Sharma, an apple farmer from Himachal Pradesh, said, "If the government decides to ban them (pesticides), then it is important for them to provide the farmers and gardeners with an alternative, otherwise they will be devastated."

Dismissing the concerns of the farmers, Madan Mohan Sharma, Director, Horticulture Department of Himachal Pradesh stressed that the farmers and gardeners are provided with an ample number of alternatives to choose from.

Read: Pesticides ban: Govt should provide alternative solutions for farmers and seed industry

"I would like to say that the government's decision won't affect a lot of people as the government provides four alternatives or options under the spray schedule for a single season. We provide a list of four insecticides or pesticides to choose from. Hence, even if one of these gets banned we have three alternatives. We have sufficient options, " said Sharma.

The Centre on May 20 announced that it has shortlisted 27 from the 66 contentious pesticides being reviewed by the Anupam Verma Committee constituted by it in July 2013.

The purpose of the committee is to review the contentious pesticides, which were banned, restricted or withdrawn in one or more countries across the globe but continued to be used in India.

Read:Here's what experts say about govt's proposal to ban 27 pesticides

In its new list, the government has included several pesticides, most of which are used extensively in apple production across Himachal Pradesh, including Captan, Carbendazim, Chlorpyrifos, Butachlor, Mancozeb M-45, Genome, Ziram, Zineb, Thiophanate methyl, Thiram, among others.

These pesticides have been found to contaminate water bodies and underground water, causing health hazards to humans, animals and honey bees which are known to help in pollination of plants, as per the committee.

The Centre has only released the draft gazette notification for banning these pesticides and says that the companies affected by it may put forth their objections and representations within 45 days from May 14 before the final notification is issued after review of their objections.