Pesticides that caused deaths still in high demand

Nagpur: Despite death of dozens of farmers and farm labourers, the demand for pesticides in the hinterland is still high. Farmers still want fresh stock of pesticides. This time it is for tur, a major crop of the region. A scare among dealers as well as action that followed 39 deaths has led to a shortage of a number of brands.

Tur has reached flowering stage. This is the time when farmers spray pesticide on the crop. Some also go for a last round of spraying on cotton at this time. Despite high demand, a number of brands are not available with pesticide shops. These include combinations that were found to be used by victims, sources said. Pesticides used in tur are different from those used by the inhalation victims but there was a shortage of those needed in tur too, they added.

The state government is also considering a proposal to ban the five pesticide combinations found to be used by those who had died. Views are being taken from experts, apart from the law and judiciary department in the matter.

The agriculture department has cracked down on dealers selling pesticides without a proper licence. A licence is needed for each specific brand. It was found a number of dealers were selling brands without licence. Stop sale orders have been issued after that and large stock has been sent back to wholesalers. This has sucked the supply out from the market, sources said. There is also a general scare among dealers. They have either shrunk their businesses or are turning away farmers coming to buy pesticides, sources added.

"Despite deaths there is a demand for pesticide combinations on which a ban is being considered apart from the other formulations. These were the preferred formulations mainly because of their afficacy and affordability," said a source in the agriculture department.

"In some cases only the specific brand is being asked for, even though same chemical manufactured by a different company is available. Its may be out of habit," said the source.

"I will be needing pesticides for tur crop. However, dealers are saying they have no stock. If this goes on, my crop may be damaged. Already cotton is fetching rate below the support price and we are hoping to recover loss from tur," said farmer Sanjay Pardhi of Kolgaon village in Yavatmal district's Maregaon taluka.

The deaths have scared away farm workers too. They are not available for spraying pesticides in the fields, Pardhi said.

"I'll be needing pesticides for tur crop in next 15 days. I hope they are available by then," said farmer Namdeo Hepat of Maregaon. A worker engaged at his farm had died due to inhalation. Monocrotophos, which was commonly used by victims, is still in demand for cotton crop, added Nitin Khadse a farmer in Jalka village of Yavatmal.

The dealers do not want to take any risk and so are avoiding any transactions at present, said a dealer requesting anonymity.