one of the children who was administered play type tests during the Arrested Development study.
The panellists presiding over the hearing, included retired
Justice Mr. G.H. Kadam, advocates Mr. Virender Darni and Mr. Shyam
Kaprekar, senior agronomist Dr. Yadgirvar and Convenor, Organic
Farmers Group, Yavatmal, Mr. Anand Rao Subedhar.
Arrested Development
The study " Arrested Development", was conducted in 2003, in 6
districts (Yavatmal was one of them) across India, which
extensively cultivate cotton and therefore are very high pesticide
use regions (footnote 1) . 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.
Greenpeace campaigner Thangamma Monappa says about the public
hearings which have so far been held across 5 districts, "Our aim
is to bring these alarming findings to the people affected most,
the cotton farmers whose children are being robbed of their futures
by this indiscriminate use of poisonous pesticides and pesticide
cocktails. 32 pesticides which have been banned in other parts of
the world continue to be vigorously sold in India by MNC's, who
would not dare to sell them in their home countries."
Farmers Speak Out
Several farmers condemned the indiscriminate use of insecticides
and pesticides on the cotton crop in the cotton growing belts.
Participants spoke out on their personal experiences of the
hazardous effects of these chemicals
A lively interaction followed, on the possibility of conversion
to pesticide free organic farming.
Organic Farming Success Stories
Bhadu Potiram of Dundarpur village, Pandrakavada shared his
experience of converting successfully to organic farming. "I had
been a farmer who used a lot of pesticides on my field for many
years. But because of the number of problems I faced I have now
switched over to organic farming and I hardly have any debts now
and my soil is now regaining its old fertility," he said.
Anandh Subhedhar, another organic farmer said that around 14
years ago he used to spray pesticides heavily on his fields but
realised that the more he sprayed the sturdier the pests became
after a point and he had to increase the pesticide use.
Now he does not use any pesticides and the pests are still under
control.
He urged the farmers to understand the need to shift from this
pesticide craze promoted by the government to safe and truly
beneficial alternatives.
"Although I do not use any pesticide on my fields there is no
bollworm in my cotton crops," he said. "I will give anyone who can
find a single bollworm in my farm Rupees one thousand," he went on
to declare.
He also had this to say on the health problems related to
pesticide use: "Earlier there was a high prevalence of miscarriages
amongst women in the fields due to pesticides but ever since I
switched to organic methods of cultivation all that has
stopped."
Resolutions Adopted
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.
Having heard the testimonies of the farming communities of
Pandarakavda, the panel presented its findings and
recommendations:
1. "This panel unanimously comes to the conclusion that it is
high time that the central government and the concerned authorities
take effective steps against the manufacture and import of all
banned insecticides and pesticides in the European and Western
countries."
2. "Every manufacturer and importer of insecticides and
pesticides should give the maximum and minimum dose of insecticide
or pesticide per 10 litres of water in the local language on the
label of the container in legible print instead of the present
practice of recommending litre wise and hectare wise usage"
3. "Having heard the users of insecticides and pesticides, this
panel has come to the conclusion that apart from it being hazardous
to the health of children, it does not effectively control pests
either. Thereby the farmers' money spent over these insecticides go
waste undermining their financial condition."
4. "This panel strongly recommends to the government and
concerned authorities and that they should take proper tests to see
that the manufacturer does not utilise aggressive advertisements
vis-à-vis the crops."
5. "Having heard the farmers, the government and concerned
authorities must take proper steps to encourage organic farming and
to facilitate the changeover to organic farming. They should give
all assistance and monetary help to the farmers for gradually
stopping the use of insecticides and pesticides for the protection
of crops and welfare of the society on a permanent basis."
Footnote 1 -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.