KOZHIKODE: The Department of Agriculture has issued a notification listing out the substitutes for the killer pesticides banned by the state government on the basis of the interim report submitted by the expert committee.
The notification suggests various chemical pesticides, fungicides and weedicides in the blue, yellow and green label category as alternatives to banned ones. Besides, there are guidelines for the dosage of application, the safe handling and application of chemicals and proper disposal of empty containers of pesticides. However, no organic pesticide has been listed in the order even though the government’s motive is to make the state free of chemical pesticides.
As per the order, Carbaryl and Quinalphos under the yellow label category can be used as alternative for endosulfan. Fourteen chemicals, including carbosulfan, coming under the blue, green and yellow category are suggested as the alternative for Carbofuran to prevent the attack of nematodes in rice, banana, brinjal and cardamom. Carbosulfan is also suggested as a replacement for phorate, which was used for controlling pest attack in paddy. While quinalphos is mainly listed as the alternative for the banned methyl parathion and monocrotophos, no substitute has been mentioned for methyl demeton, which was used to control sucking pests.
As far as fungicides are concerned, carpropamid and carbendazin should be used for rice blast instead of the banned ediphenphos. The blue-labelled Glyphosate is listed as an alternative for paraquat, the banned weedicide that was extensively used by the pineapple
farmers.
According to the order, the recommendations have been made for a period of one year and the Kerala Agricultural University should submit a project proposal for conducting a comprehensive research to study the effectiveness and quality of each pesticide.
The report, which should be filed within a year, should also detail the effect caused by these chemicals on public health and environment.