Syngenta says it focuses on safe use of pesticides

Agro-chemical and seeds firm Syngenta today said it focuses on safe use of its pesticides and undertakes various activities for proper handling of its products by farmers.
It said reports alleging its product, Polo, to be "solely responsible" for loss of farmers' lives and hospitalisation of farm workers in the Yavatmal region in Maharashtra is "incorrect".
It is "incorrect and does not reflect the realities of the situation", the company said in a statement.
The company said it gives importance to the safe use of chemicals and undertakes a number of activities including doctors training, safe handling training and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment.

Earlier this month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry into the deaths of farmers due to pesticide poisoning in Yavatmal district in the state's Vidarbha region.
Although the government did not specify the number of deaths, eminent farm activist from Vidarbha, Kishor Tiwari, and the Shiv Sena had said the pesticide exposure reported in Yavatmal district has claimed 18 lives so far.