Punjab Government Bans Sale of Nine Pesticides including these Chemical Formulations

After the center decides to ban license of 27 pesticides, the state government of Punjab has banned the sale of at least nine types of pesticides, insecticides and fungicides in the ongoing kharif season with immediate effect. Keeping in mind the hazardous effects of these chemicals into the environment, human and animal health, the government has come up with such strict actions.  

The network functionaries said the 27 listed pesticides are highly hazardous with potential to cause severe health problems such as hormonal changes, carcinogenic, neurotoxic, reproductive and developmental health effects as well as environmental impacts such as toxic to bees 

These Chemical Formulations are banned by the Punjab Govt 

As per reports, Dr Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary, Agriculture has also issued an advisory to farmers not to use the fertilizers or pesticides which includes the chemical formulations of acephate, carbendazim, thiamethoxam, triazofos, tricyclazole, buprofezin, carbofuron, propiconazole and thiophanate methyl on basmati and other crops. 

These chemicals were harmful to human health and were also banned in European countries and in many other Asian countries, he said. 

Moreover, he said the department had estimated to grow basmati on 7-lakh hectare during the ensuing Kharif season. 

The agriculture department of the state has also issued directions to field staff of the department to reach out to basmati growers and motivate them for judicious use of pesticides, so as to improve its quality for export. 

Punjab Contributes 40 % of India’s total Rice Exports 

As per reports, the export of basmati from the country is expected to touch Rs 40,000 crore this year. It will be an increase of 15 per cent over Rs 35,000 crore last year. The state is expected to contribute nearly 40 per cent of the exports, which accounts for Rs 15,000 crore. 

Moreover, rice is witnessing a growing demand in the international market. Hence, scientists from the department have asked the farmers to grow 1718, 1509 and 1121 varieties of basmati as these were in good demand in both national and international markets. 

Three years ago, basmati exporters from the state had suffered huge losses as many containers containing varieties of rice were rejected by European nations, Saudi Arabia and other Middle-East countries after traces of pesticides were found in them. 

Moga CAO Dr Balwinder Singh, and Plant Protection Officer Jaswinder Singh Brar said they had asked all dealers not to keep the banned chemicals, failing which legal action would be initiated against them. — TNS