In the rapid race of development we have inflicted serious damage to our natural resources and consequently to ourselves. Pesticides once used to promote and protect crop yield are now being used indiscriminately-harming both, the environment and human life. Over the years these chemicals accumulate in the environment and poison us slowly. When consumed on a regular basis they form deposits in our tissues and vital organs, particularly liver, kidney and brain.

THREAT

As years progress, they lead to life threatening diseases and even cancer a reason why they are “cumulative poisons”. In fact studies over the last few years have proved that as polluting chemicals have built up in the environment they have even invaded the most natural and safest of all sources of nourishment-mother’s milk. More than 350 man made pollutants have been identified in the breast milk of women in UK. Pesticide residues, poison mother’s milk and have adverse effects on the baby’s immune system.

PESTICIDE USE

The plight is that besides bans on harmful pesticides, they are still used extensively by farmers and agriculturists; consumed by us unnoticed. India is the largest manufacturer of chemical pesticides among South Asian and African nations. A number of research studies have found higher instances of brain cancer, leukemia and birth defects in children with early exposure to pesticides, according to National Resources Defence Council.

HARVARD FIND

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, discovered a 70% increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease for people exposed to even low levels of pesticides. WHO estimates over a million pesticide-poisoning cases and 20, 000 deaths every year globally. The indiscriminate use of fertilisers and plant protective chemicals to increase yields and save crops from pets and diseases, no doubt, has escalated food production, created food security but has also resulted in a number of health hazards. Further, it has deteriorated the agro-ecosystem badly. This situation has spelled the need to switch over to organic farming to cultivate valuable crops for healthy and safer foods.

GROWING ORGANIC

Organic food is grown without pesticides and chemical inputs. Organic is not a “product” rather it is a “process”. Organic farming significantly reduces external inputs by avoiding the use of chemo-synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Instead it works with nature and natural systems to increase both agricultural yields and disease resistance. It builds healthy soil and prevents chemicals from entering into earth and water. It helps in protecting top soil, water and air.

By Rohit Tomar