panellists at the public hearing, Raichur
Arrested Development
The study " Arrested Development", was conducted in 2003, in 6
districts across India, which extensively cultivate cotton and
therefore are very high pesticide use regions.(see footnote1)
Children of the age groups of 4-5 and 9-13 were administered simple
play based tests. The results of these were compared with children
from a control group very similar to the former in socio-economic,
genetic and cultural aspects, but chosen from regions of
significantly low pesticide use. The results of the study found
shocking deficits in the mental developmental abilities (analytical
and motor skills, concentration and memory) of children from the
study areas.
"Our intention has been to bring this vital information to the
people affected most, the farmers and their children who are being
robbed of their futures by this reckless use of poisonous
pesticides and pesticide cocktails. These pesticides are pushed in
India by MNC's that would not dare to sell them in their home
countries where most of these formulations are banned," said
Greenpeace campaigner Thangamma Monappa, introducing the findings
of the study to the gathering.
Families from the villages of Khanapur, Manjerla and Poorthipli
in Raichur District where the study was conducted, participated in
the public hearing organised by Greenpeace India along with its
Karnataka project partners SEVA, Janachetana and ICRA. A panel of
experts from the fields of law, journalism, agriculture and health
presided over the hearing.(see footnote2)
Farmers Testify
Several farmers and children working in cotton cultivation and
seed processing testified to the debilitating health problems they
experienced as a result of exposure to pesticides. They complained
of extreme fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches and acute
stomach pain.
Doctors Speak
Doctors too spoke out against pesticides. Dr. Mali Patil warned
that chemical based pesticides endangered not only physical health
but also posed grave dangers to children and even unborn foetuses.
He said a large number of cases of stunted growth in children in
the district could be directly traced to the effect of pesticides.
Chemical pesticides cannot be easily flushed out of the human body
and are even found in the breast milk of lactating mothers. Dr.
Shashikala, a senior paediatrician, said that she had found a
number of serious ailments affecting girl children exposed to
pesticides, including delayed puberty and irregular menstrual
cycles. She also pointed out that pesticides affect the
reproductive health of both men and women.
Organic Farming – a safe and economically viable alternative
Prolonged use of pesticides results in pest resistance. This
forces the farmer to use greater quantities of pesticides,
resulting in spiralling input costs. As a result the health and
finances of the farmer becomes severely debilitated.
Local organic farmers strongly urged the farming community to
take up safe methods of farming that don't use chemical inputs.
Hanumanthamma of Manjerla, and Mallikarjuna of Poorthipli, shared
their success stories of organic harvests.
Commenting
on the economic aspects, Mr. D.D. Bharamagoudar, a practising
organic farmer and the Convenor of Organic Farmers Association of
India, said that not only health care costs but also agricultural
input costs were significantly lower among organic farming
families.
Communities urged to build soil fertility, use local resources
Mr. Pampanna Nervi, a farmer representing KRRS and Durga
Jagadish, Organic Consultant, Raichur, pointed out to the gathering
that excessive use of agro- chemicals had led to complete
destruction of soil- friendly organisms. Most of the land in the
district had lost it natural vitality and regenerational
ability.
Dr. Hoogar, Krushi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Raichur, urged farmers
to adopt mixed cropping practices, which would help in managing
pests and in increasing soil fertility.
Dr. V.I. Benagi, plant pathologist at KVK, Gulbarga, said that
many alternative natural pesticides and plant nutrients were
available locally everywhere. He said Raichur had the largest
number of neem trees anywhere in India and neem extracts provided
not only effective protection against a range of pests but were
also proven to be plant growth catalysts.
Participants condemn Government indifference
Several participants roundly condemned the Government's
indifference to the uncontrolled use and promotion of pesticides.
They urged the government to work towards enhancing indigenous and
sustainable methods of cultivation that would safeguard the farming
community and the health of its children.
Resolutions Adopted
The gathering adopted the Raichur Declaration containing ten
resolutions:
1. The Commission is of the view that the extremely hazardous
Class 1 pesticides should be immediately banned and Class 1 b and
Class II be gradually phased out in a realistic time frame. The
situation is alarming and if urgent action is not taken now it will
become irreversible from both angles i.e., environment as well as
human health.
2. The Government in the local language should publish
information about the banned or "restricted use" pesticides or
pesticide formulations, along with the authentic rate list from
time to time. It should be mandatory displayed in shops and
pesticide retail outlets, panchayat offices and other prominent
places.
3. The special package of compensation of three years to the
farmers of the cotton belt which assures them against any financial
loss should be provide the process of switching over form the use
of pesticide to organic farming.
4. For remediation and removal of the adverse effects of
pesticides in the cotton belt, the Government should constitute an
expert body to do an in depth study and come out with a plan for
implementation for decontamination the area within the time frame.
The commission requests the State Government to constitute this
expert body urgently.
5. Agriculture, which is pesticide intensive, should be dealt
with as a hazardous occupation at par with the hazardous industry.
A special Health Insurance Scheme for the farmers and farm workers
should be introduced in the cotton belt area.
6. Ban research, commercialization and the false propaganda of
chemicals and genetically engineered seeds.
7. Government support for inputs towards sustainable
agriculture
8. Simplification and propagation of the organic certification
process
9. Minimum Support Price (MSP) and marketing facilities for
organic produce
10. Technical support for vocational training program centers at
the taluk level to promote sustainable agriculture eco farming with
Krishi Vigyan Kendras, as well as inclusion of sustainable farming
in the curriculum of Higher Primary and High School levels.
11. Solid waste generated from pesticide use needs to fall into
the Hazardous Waste Management Rules.
12. Government should seek the support and assistance of NGO's
and SHG's.
The panelists also suggested that villages form eco clubs,
create soil fertility centres, establish neem banks, protect need
trees and neem based industries, work actively to safeguard local
seed varieties.
footnote1. Cotton occupies less than 5% of cultivable land in
India but accounts for about 55% of pesticide use in the country.
As a result cotton-growing regions of the country have unwittingly
become zones of high pesticide exposure and poisoning. footnote2.
Members of the panel included Mr. M Nagappa, senior advocate and
former MLA, Dr. Mali Patil, psychiatrist and President, Indian
Medical Association, Raichur, Mr. D.D. Bharamagouder, practising
organic farmer and Convenor, OFAI, Karnataka, Dr. V.I. Benagi,
plant pathologist and Training Co-ordinator, KVK, Gulbarga, and a
senior journalist Mr. K.V. Ramesh.