'Judicious use of pesticides must'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 29 2022:
Pesticides are poisonous substance but judicious use of it in farming is a must so as to prevent the crops and vegetables turn toxic or make the soil unsuitable for farming, said Thoudam Dorendro, proprietor of Panthoibi Seeds House, formerly known as Delbros.
Speaking during the annual dealers' meet of Panthoibi Seeds House held at Rotary Bhavan, Mantripukhri on Sunday, Dorendro informed that his agency has been organising the annual meet of dealers since 1999 with the objective to create awareness on proper use of pesticides for minimal impact on soil and human health.
The dealers have also been spreading the knowledge to farmers since then, he said.
While noting that due to long practice of using chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the farming practice in the state is in a critical stage today, Dorendra expressed concern that many are using whatever pesticides they could get from the market without actually understanding the negative impact.
He then stressed the need for having proper knowledge before using chemical pesticides or insecticides and pointed out that though operating mobile vendors of pesticides or insecticides is prohibited under the law, some companies are using their sales representatives to sell the pesticides at the doorsteps of the farmers.
As for farmers, they should not only avojd using any brand of pesticides but also wait for a certain period, also known as waiting period, for the toxicity of the pesticides to disappear from the crop or vegetable before harvesting, he added.