Use of pesticides in vegetables cultivation increases in Ishwardi

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
The use of pesticides has increased in Ishwardi, which is famous for vegetable cultivation in the country. Pesticides are the most widely used, especially in bean and cowpea cultivation. The smell of poison is in the air everywhere in Muladuli Union, a bean and dharas cultivation area. A large amount of pesticides are used in the cultivation of all kinds of vegetables, starting from eggplant.
Commercial cultivation of beans has been going on in Betbaria village of Muladuli Union for twenty five years. Beans are grown on 90% of the land in this village. Almost every village in Muladuli union is growing beans and gram. But during bean season, the smell of pesticides wafts through the air.
 Sheikhpara, Betbaria, Baghachla, Atgharia, Muladuli, Faridpur villages of Muladuli union can be seen on the surface, covering only bean plantations in vast areas. Many people are spraying pesticides in bean fields. After the use of pesticides, you have to put a handkerchief to your nose to avoid the strong smell of poison. The musty smell of pesticides in the air of every village in Muladuli. Farmers said that Tafgar insecticide is sprayed five days a week to suppress bean flowers and young bean weevils. As insect attack is high in some land, poison is also applied twice a day.
Abdural Jabba, a farmer of Betbaria Purwapara, planted beans on three and a half bigha of land, expressing concern about the environmental damage and the health risks of farmers due to the excessive use of pesticides in bean cultivation. Additional pesticide sprays spread the smell of poison throughout the area.
The stench of pesticides in the air is harmful to the human body through inhalation. Bean farmers including children, women and the elderly are suffering from various diseases.
Aminul Islam Babu “Shim Babu” for his fame in bean farming said that one bigha of bean land costs Tk 10-12 thousand for pesticides. Different types of insecticides including Granular, Sumithion, Tufgar, Fanthen, Ocozim have to be sprayed on the land regularly. Inadvertently: Farmers sometimes get sick or even lose their senses if they fall into the body.
Shamsul Alam Biswas, President of Pesticide Retailers Association, said that around 20 types of pesticides are used in vegetable cultivation including bean, hyacinth, brinjal, coffee. Virtaco, Briefer, Protect, Sabikaron, Kot, Master, Tido Polgas, Fighter, Greenfuran are among them. Pesticide sales have doubled in a span of three to four years.
Aliuzzaman Zia, Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of Muladuli, said that excessive use of pesticides is damaging the soil and increasing health risks for farmers. Farmers are repeatedly convinced that they are harming the environment and health by using excessive amounts of pesticides.
Ishwardi Upazila Health Officer Asma Khan said that vegetables produced using pesticides are dangerous for health. Eating these vegetables can cause cancer. There is a possibility of suffering from various complex diseases including kidney and liver damage, birth of disabled children.