‘Heavy use of pesticide causes many deaths’
Farmers spray 10-15 times more than required amount.
FAISALABAD:
Pakistan is spending approximately Rs14 billion on pesticides, which are not only leaving hazardous effects on human health, but are also the cause of many deaths annually, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Entomologist Scientist Prof Dr Muhammad Jalal Arif.
He said this while briefing a delegation of 25 officials from Water and Power Development Authority Administrative Staff College headed by Director Mubashir Mahmood here on Saturday. Addressing the participants, he stressed the need to curtail the trend of excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides by creating awareness among the masses and promoting the usage of disease-resistant varieties enriched with plant breeding and genetics technology across the country.
He said due to lack of awareness, farmers are spraying pesticides 10 to 15 times more than its requirement. He said injudicious use of pesticides is also responsible for causing higher risks of cancer, tuberculosis among others in humans.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2011.
Pakistan is spending approximately Rs14 billion on pesticides, which are not only leaving hazardous effects on human health, but are also the cause of many deaths annually, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Entomologist Scientist Prof Dr Muhammad Jalal Arif.
He said this while briefing a delegation of 25 officials from Water and Power Development Authority Administrative Staff College headed by Director Mubashir Mahmood here on Saturday. Addressing the participants, he stressed the need to curtail the trend of excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides by creating awareness among the masses and promoting the usage of disease-resistant varieties enriched with plant breeding and genetics technology across the country.
He said due to lack of awareness, farmers are spraying pesticides 10 to 15 times more than its requirement. He said injudicious use of pesticides is also responsible for causing higher risks of cancer, tuberculosis among others in humans.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2011.