Although pesticides play a crucial role in
boosting agricultural output and ensuring food security, we must also confront
their darker side. According to a recent study, pesticide exposure leads to
approximately 200,000 deaths globally each year, with 20,000 of those occurring
in India. These fatalities result from both acute and long-term effects.
Not only that, but occasionally the potency of
pesticides takes a sinister turn. In remote areas with limited access to lethal
drugs, pesticides become a grim choice for those contemplating suicide. Their
widespread availability in agricultural communities makes them a devastating
tool for self-harm. Over the past 50 years, pesticide-related suicides have
been linked to highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), as classified by the World
Health Organization (WHO). Shockingly, substances like monocrotophos—known for
their danger—continue to be used, especially in cotton cultivation, in defiance
of regulations.
Worldwide, pesticide-related self-poisoning indeed claims a significant number of lives annually, accounting for approximately 40% of all suicides. In India alone, pesticides are responsible for around 92,000 suicides each year. Self-poisoning caused by pesticides remains a serious public health challenge in the country.
Furthermore, according to a recent study published
in the journal Public Health, each year, 385 million people in agriculture
suffer from acute pesticide poisoning. Symptoms range from weakness and
headaches to vomiting, skin rashes, and nervous system disorders.
Long-term exposure to pesticides can lead to: Parkinson's disease, asthma,
depression, ADHD, Cancers (such as leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma),
Neurological disorders, Reproductive problems.
Those who handle pesticides regularly face increased risks. For example:
Endocrine Disruption: Pesticide exposure can disrupt hormones, affecting
overall health.
Alzheimer's and Dementia: Some pesticides may lead to dementia-like conditions.
Whereas, some pesticides interfere with female hormonal balance, impacting
the reproductive system.
Despite these eye-opening statistics, profits often take precedence over health
for pesticide marketers.... But why?
Why pesticide marketers value profits over health?,
The agrochemical industry operates within a
competitive market. Companies face financial pressures to maximize revenue and
shareholder returns. Thus, profit-driven decisions often take priority.
Pesticide marketers prioritize profits over health due to economic pressures,
market demand, short-term focus, lax regulations, and lack of awareness. The
global pesticides market thrives on the need for effective pest management and
higher agricultural productivity. Let’s delve into the overall financial gains
of such a business, which sometimes outweigh human well-being. Here are some
key figures:
At a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%, the global pesticides market
is projected to increase from $78.16 billion in 2021 to $105.39 billion in
2026. Other estimates suggest the market’s value at $45.7 billion in 2022 and
$92.6 billion in 2032, with a CAGR of 7.5% between 2023 and 2032. Persistence
Market Research predicts that the market will reach $107,834.1 million in 2023
and $184,196.3 million by 2033.
In contrast, the Indian pesticide market was estimated to be worth INR 229.4
billion in 2022. It is projected to rise at a CAGR of 4.6% to 6.6%, reaching
INR 342.3 billion by 2028. With a 6% CAGR, the market might reach INR 421.7
billion by 2032.
Indeed, India boasts a billion-dollar pesticide industry, with investments
exceeding 70 billion Indian rupees in 2019. The country’s agricultural sector
heavily relies on pesticides to combat threats from insects, weeds, fungi,
rodents, and birds. Shockingly, approximately 20-25% of food produced in India
is lost to pests and diseases. To enhance crop yields, per capita pesticide
consumption has been rising, and initiatives to educate farmers on proper usage
are underway.
India plays a significant role in the global pesticide trade. In 2018, it
ranked as the world’s third-largest pesticide exporter by volume. Exports are
projected to grow, reaching approximately USD 3.1 billion by 2024, contributing
55% of total domestic production.
However, the harsh reality is that while profits are increasing, its adverse
impact on human health and the environment continues.
Worldwide Pesticide Consumption,
Approximately 2 million tonnes of pesticides are used annually worldwide, with
China, the USA, and Argentina leading the way. By 2020, this usage is estimated
to increase to 3.5 million tonnes.
Over 1,000 different types of pesticides are used globally, as reported by the
World Health Organization (WHO). The breakdown of usage includes:
Herbicides: 50%
Fungicides : 8%
Bactericides and insecticides: 30%
Other types like rodenticides and nematicides
The total amount of pesticides used worldwide was 3.72 billion lb (1.69 billion
kg) in 1990. Over the next 20 years, this amount increased by approximately
57%, reaching 5.86 billion lb (2.66 billion kg) by 2020. On average, this
translates to 1.8 kg per hectare of cropland.
China leads in annual pesticide use, utilizing approximately 1,806 million kg.
Major crops such as cotton and paddy account for 50%and 18% of pesticide usage,
respectively.
Pesticide Usage in India
Data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare reveals that
about 60,000 tonnes of chemical pesticides were used annually between 2017-18
and 2021-22 in India.
Pesticides cover approximately 40% of India’s cultivated land, with 65-70% of
these areas being irrigated.
Benzene Hexachloride (BHC) is prominently used due to its effectiveness against
pests, comprising half of India’s total pesticide volume. Other commonly
utilized pesticides include Alpha-cypermethrin (46%) and methyl parathion
(25.6%).
Pesticides are commonly stored in cowsheds (48.4%) and storerooms (29.6%).
In 2020-21, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest pesticide usage
in India, while Punjab and Haryana saw a decrease compared to the previous
year. Since 2009-10, both total and per-hectare pesticide consumption in India
have shown significant increases.
Future Projections
According to a UN Environment Programme report, pesticide use will continue to
rise. By 2050, with a projected global population of 9.3 billion, food
production needs to grow by 60%. Researchers predict that farmers will need to
use even more pesticides to meet this demand.
Here it is also important to discuss the environmental impact of long-term
pesticide usage,
When pesticide contamination extends beyond the intended plants, it results in
environmental pollution. Two older pesticides, Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
(DDT) and lindane, persist longer in soil and water, disrupting the ecology by
accumulating in various parts of the food chain.
Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, turf, and other vegetation. While their
primary purpose is to kill insects or weeds, they also pose risks to a host of
other organisms, including birds, fish, beneficial insects, and non-target
plants. Insecticides are generally the most acutely toxic class, but herbicides
can also harm non-target organisms.
Many pesticides applied to crops eventually find their way into ground and
surface water. This poses a serious problem because approximately half of the
world's population relies on well water. Once groundwater is contaminated,
pesticide residues persist for years, affecting both human health and ecosystems.
However, studies on European farming methods reveal that complete elimination
could also have adverse effects. For example:
A 78% loss in fruit productivity
A 54% decrease in vegetable harvests
A 32% loss of cereal yields
In addition to this, research suggests that pesticides may be responsible for
the loss of smell in salmon and honeybees. Pesticide contamination also
endangers aquatic ecosystems by polluting waterways.
So, all we can say is that it is important for our farmers to maintain a
delicate balance between agricultural productivity and the serious
environmental and human health costs associated with our dependence on
pesticides.
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