Illogical ban

Govt should review its proposal on agro-chem products

The agriculture ministry’s proposal to ban 27 commonly used plant protection chemicals is ill-timed and economically untenable. The plan, triggered by disputable environmental and health concerns, has evoked sharp criticism from all stakeholders in the agro-chemicals sector, including the industry and farmers. Agricultural scientists have also decried the move, which, they fear, might gravely hurt the farm sector, which has stood out as a silver lining in the coronavirus-battered economy. Only environmental activists have welcomed it, though without offering credible reasons for that. These 27 products, accounting for some 20 per cent of the country’s agro-chemicals output, include many broad-spectrum