Rajshahi farmers seek ban on highly hazardous pesticides
Farmers, environmental activists and civil society representatives formed a human chain in Rajshahi on Monday, demanding a phased ban on highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) to protect public health, biodiversity and the environment.
The human chain was held at Shaheb Bazar Zero Point and jointly organised by the development research organisation BARCIK, the Barendra Youth Forum and the Green Coalition.
Farmers, youth representatives, researchers, environmental activists and members of various social and cultural organisations participated in the programme.
The event was chaired by Green Coalition Paba Upazila President Rahima Begum and moderated by Barendra Youth Forum President Md. Atikur Rahman.
Speakers said the prolonged use of highly hazardous chemical pesticides in the name of increasing food production is causing serious harm not only to harmful insects but also to humans, bees, fish, birds, soil, water and the overall ecosystem.
Abu Sama, General Secretary of the Nauhata Fishermen’s Association, said pesticide-contaminated runoff from agricultural fields is killing fish fry and contributing to a decline in fish populations.
Upen Rabidas, President of the Adivasi Youth Council, said excessive pesticide use is rapidly reducing wild vegetables, medicinal plants, indigenous fish species, snails, crabs and other natural food resources.
Barendra Youth Forum President Md. Atikur Rahman said agriculture dependent on chemical pesticides can never be sustainable and stressed that agroecology offers the most effective pathway to a resilient farming system.
BARCIK researcher Shahidul Islam said many countries have already made significant progress in controlling highly hazardous pesticides and promoting alternative agricultural practices.
He urged Bangladesh to scientifically review highly hazardous pesticides in line with international standards and gradually phase them out.
The speakers also called for expanding agroecological farming, integrated pest management (IPM), biological pest control, the conservation of indigenous seeds and other environmentally friendly agricultural practices to ensure safe food production and build a climate-resilient agricultural system.
They said the demand to ban highly hazardous pesticides is not limited to a single organisation but is a broader call to safeguard public health, food safety, biodiversity, farmers’ rights and the interests of future generations.
The speakers expressed hope that Bangladesh could build a safe, productive and climate-resilient food system through a scientific, participatory and justice-based transformation of its agricultural sector.
