Inspections ordered in pesticide, fertiliser depots

Death of two farm labourers in Thiruvalla after inhaling pesticide

The Agriculture Department has ordered inspections in all fertiliser and pesticide depots in the State following the death of two farm labourers in Thiruvalla, reportedly after inhaling pesticide sprayed on paddy crop.

The department had issued a stop memo and sealed the Elanjimootil depot which sold the pesticide without authorisation from the agriculture officer concerned, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar said on Saturday.

The Minister said that his department had issued strict instructions in December 2018 that red and yellow-labelled pesticides should be sold only on production of a prescription issued by the agriculture officer concerned.

Red, yellow, blue and green labels on pesticides indicated the levels of toxicity. Pesticides with high toxin levels were not to be sold to farmers directly.

The department had prescribed specific pesticides and weedicides for each crop. Moreover, the depots were asked to display the product list and other relevant details. The inspections were ordered after it was found that the conditions were being violated, the Minister said.

Campaign planned

The tragedy in Thiruvalla, which left two dead and three hospitalised, occurred just ahead of a 10-day campaign planned by the department to raise awareness about the need to control pesticide use and promote the 'safe food' concept.

The awareness campaign, planned from January 21 to January 31, will be held at the panchayat, block and district levels with pesticide depots as its focal points.

As per a January 3, 2019, guideline issued by Agriculture Director P.K. Jayasree, agriculture officers should inspect pesticide depots in their jurisdiction to prevent the sale of banned or unauthorised products. The guidelines required agriculture officers to conduct awareness classes for farmers and to initiate legal action against companies attempting to sell pesticides directly to farmers.

The guidelines also required strengthened monitoring by agriculture vigilance squads and to ensure at least one monthly inspection at the block-level. The State-level team is required to conduct monthly surprise checks in at least two districts.