Nagpur: Kishor Tiwari, head of the Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swawlamban Mission set up by the Maharashtra government to deal with farmer distress, is unsparing of his criticism of the administration and manufacturers. He says the solutions lie only in sustainable agricultural methods and strict regulation of MNCs. He calls the Central Insecticide Board a hostile body.
How many farmers have died in Yavatmal and other parts of Vidarbha because of pesticides in the last few months?
Pesticide poisoning has always affected farmers in the months of July to October, but this year, its gravity was much higher. The issue was not taken seriously [by the government]. 23 farmers have died in Yavatmal, eight in Nagpur, three in Chandrapur, six in Akola and two in Buldhana district. There have been reports [of deaths] from Wardha district as well, but there is no official confirmation. Overall around 50 farmers and farm laborers have died in Vidarbha due to organophosphorus poisoning. Most of the deceased men were farm laborers from the Dalit and tribal communities. There was no Diwali in villages [of Vidarbha] this year.
What is the cause?
The saga started with the introduction of toxic pesticides. Many of these deadly pesticides had been banned. Organophosphorus pesticides are extremely toxic, and require a lot of care while handling; these precautions have been listed while giving the license. Manufacturers must follow the UN guidelines while manufacturing toxic products. The dealers have to provide training, protective kits, and antidotes.
But in the last three-four years, not a single kit was provided by these dealers, and no guidelines were followed by the manufacturers. These pesticides are being sold by reputed multinational companies from Switzerland, Germany, and USA. These deaths are not accidental deaths: this is a genocide done by the state and the multinational pesticide companies.
Does India lack the mechanism to control the distribution and use of toxic pesticides?
The acts and rules are very stringent, but the ground staff which implements it has no extension services. The companies and dealers are involved in malpractices. The farmers’ ignorance also plays a role in it. The exploitation of the farming community is the root cause of this crisis.
If you look at the whole saga, the technology which was not allowed was grown illegally. This is a vicious circle. First, you sell the unapproved technology, which results in side effects like pest attacks. And to control the pests, banned toxic chemicals are used without following precautions. This is why all regulatory authorities, the companies violating rules, and the traders should be booked for these deaths.
How can these deaths be prevented?
Sustainable agriculture is the only solution.
The Central Insecticide Board is a hostile body [made up] of corrupt and retired bureaucrats. They have no machinery to control [the rampant use of toxic pesticides]. The laws have empowered the corrupt bureaucrat, and they have been killing people, but nobody took it seriously. This [Maharashtra] government accidentally formed this farmers’ mission, and we raised the issue. Everyone is involved in this corruption. It was Sharad Pawar [the NCP chief is a former agriculture minister] who has made the CIB such a hostile body by appointing useless officers and ridiculed the entire machinery.
Was the district administration late in creating awareness among farmers on the use of pesticides?
It was only a damage-control exercise. [The administration] says they have purchased safety kits, but I don’t see a single kit anywhere. This tragedy happened in a district where 50% of agriculture staff posts are vacant: the agriculture assistants are not there. The extension activities of agriculture were stopped by introducing a single-window system. The training and visits [by agriculture officers] to rural parts were also reduced. There was a systematic failure of the machinery and the policymakers.
The inquiry should go into what the toxicity is that kills the farmers. How is it allowed in India? Why are the UN guidelines not followed? Why are the extension services not reaching farmers?
Some people are now trying to put the entire blame on the farmers and farm laborers who are the innocent victims of this organised crime, when this is basically genocide by the state and the MNCs and has been happening for decades.
Thousands have died in Maharashtra and India. But it is being highlighted for the first time by us. We want to change the system, not individuals. But our cries are not being listened to carefully. We have been demanding the PMO’s intervention. I don’t think the agriculture ministers in the state and at the Centre know even the A-B-C-D of this crisis. This is very bad.
We have to have qualified and accountable lawmakers when such crisis is there.
Yavatmal also reports a large number of farmer suicides. Have the pesticide poisoning deaths only added to the crisis? Do you see this deepening the agriculture crisis in the district now?
It has already deepened. Agriculture has become a dying field now. Either you kill yourself or get killed by the system. The ultimate result is the deaths, and sadly we were counting deaths when we were not a part of the state [government] and we are counting deaths when we are a part of the state [government] now. We are ashamed of this situation.
What is the way out?
A sustainable solution, poison-free farming. You have to introduce natural and traditional Indian farming practices. Because all the investment in Indian agriculture is going into the hands of a select few multinationals.
How do you propose to control the MNCs?
They should be debarred. But if you allow them, then strictly regulate them.
There is absolutely no control of, and logic in, their pricing mechanism. They have been looting farmers while selling seeds and pesticides. Everybody who is a spectator to these mass killings is also equally responsible. The farmers and farm laborers have been reduced to slaves due to the corporatisation of agriculture and all governments are supporting them.
I have been appointed to this task force to give advice to the government on the welfare of the farmers. It is a wrong perception that I am part of this government; I was given a task because the CM is my friend.
I will take this case to the apex court. The grassroots reality is much starker than what the media is reporting. The CM promised me that all those responsible will be punished. The Government of India has to take the initiative to block the sale of toxic chemicals. Even what the people are eating today is a poison, because of excessive pesticide use.
Are you satisfied with the formation of the SIT and its composition?
This is genocide, not an accident. People responsible should be booked for culpable homicide.
It is eyewash. The references made by this SIT are rubbish.
The report submitted by the Additional Chief Secretary is also ridiculous. There are no references to shifting to organic farming. [The SIT members] don’t know what nonsense they are talking. The SIT has been formed under the Divisional Commissioner, and its members are involved in these killings, so they will safeguard their own interests and jobs.
Nothing will come out of it. A judicial commission, with activists and experts from outside, should have been asked to probe this.
