Agrochem body plans campaign on pesticides

Agrochemicals Policy Group, an organisation formed by pesticide manufacturers in the country, has planned a nationwide effort to educate the farming community on the importance, utility and safe use of pesticides.

APG chairman S Kumarasamy told media persons on Wednesday that the organisation would work to draw the government's attention to this important agricultural input.

"About Rs 90,000 crore worth of agricultural produce in India is lost to pests every year," Kumarsamy said. He said one of the reasons for this serious state of affairs was the lack of awareness about pesticides among farmers.

APG has therefore roped in non-governmental organisations to spread awareness about the importance and safe use of pesticides, he said.

"We have trained 400 NGO volunteers in major agricultural states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh." The organisation would train 1000 more volunteers to take the message to farmers.

Kumarasamy also underlined the government's role in dispelling doubts about pesticides and encouraging their use. Certain incentives and policy initiatives can play a big role in this area, according to him.

He suggested greater research and development effort to ensure cheaper availability of pesticides. Pesticide industry should thus enjoy the weighted deduction from profits as in case of research expenditure by pharmaceuticals, he said.

As the marketing and distribution of pesticides involve wider travelling by sales staff, their travelling expenses should be given the same fringe benefit tax as the pharmaceuticals sector.