Spreading paranoia to market pesticide
Ilachuruttippuzhu is the buzz word in Malayalam Media today. Our news
papers and visual media are flooded with reports about this monster
worm spreading havoc in paddy fields across Kerala, giving an
impression that it is the single largest threat faced by out
agricultural sector. Statements from officials of our agriculture
department add fuel to fire. But is this worm such a grave threat?
Investigations by GREENPEOPLE reveal the other side of the story.
The worm known locally as Ilachuruttippuzhu is not a new phenomenon.
For decades farmers have been dealing with the worm successfully with
traditional methods. Now what is being done is forcing the ignorant
farmers to buy high-cost pesticides to fight this threat. The process
is not only unscientific but also poses a danger of exposing those who
consume the agriculrural produces to lethal poisoning. The psticides
used here are systemic chemical pesticide which can cause many health
problems to human beings if consumed. The danger is these chemicals
are used as preventive measure too.
Firstly there is no medicine or chemical that could be used to prevent
these worms from entering paddy fields. So using them as preventive
measure can only expose the paddy fields to unwanted toxins. Secondly
these chemicals cannot cure the already infected plants but can only
stop the next generation of worms. So spraying these pesticides
doesn’t help much. Traditional methods like Basket Traps spraying
kerosene in the water logged paddy fields etc could yield better
results and there is little risk of poisons. Thirdly experts say that
food products should not be used within two months from the day of
spraying those pesticides. This would not be possible in case of paddy
fields and the result would be disastrous.
It is time that the public know about the aggressive marketing
strategies of these poison production firms and the way in which the
Department officials dance to their tune and exaggerate the presence
of these worms. By spreading paranoia the official-corporate nexus is
tricking the media and the public to use the hazardous chemicals.
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