Towards the Organic Farming the Kerala is also stepping up for the control on the use of pesticides. The Kerala University already started a Diploma Course for the dealers to create awareness for the state government mission to curtail using the pesticides for the growth of the crops.
Indiscreet use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem in addition to precipitating health hazards. A majority of the farmers use chemicals to aid plant growth and plant protection. But, approved norms for the use of chemicals are not followed since neither the farmers nor the dealers have scientific knowledge on their use. By providing adequate awareness to input dealers through DAESI, indiscreet use can be curtailed. By establishing a mechanism to monitor the use of banned and controlled chemicals, the soil health can be improved and ecological issues resolved. I solicit earnest cooperation from the dealers to ensure that the programme yields desired results.
Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar has said that the State government is planning to establish an enforcement mechanism to control the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the State.
Speaking after inaugurating the State-level function to launch Diploma course in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) at Vellanikkara, the Minister said new generation pesticides would not be allowed in the State.
The diploma course has been made mandatory to renew and obtain licences for fertilizer and pesticide dealership. Farmers will have to produce prescriptions to buy plant protection chemicals and only certified dealers can dispense it, as in the case of medicines.
It would help control the excessive use and misuse of chemicals, said Mr. Sunil Kumar.
The course, designed by the National Institute for Agricultural Extension Management(MANAGE), Hyderabad, is implemented through the State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI).
Krishi Vigyan Kendras under the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) were the training centres for the course, added the Minister.
KAU Vice Chancellor R. Chandrababu, in his keynote address, said the dealers should reciprocate the good faith with which DAESI was implemented.
“By controlling the use of pesticides and chemicals, we together ensure safety of mankind and safe-to-eat food for our own families,” he said. K. Rajan, MLA, presided over.
District panchayat president Mary Thomas released the training module. Forty dealers from Thrissur are participating in the first batch of the course conducted by Thrissur KVK.
