The ban on pesticides would cause the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Kerala, (VFPCK) dearly.
Since farmers use a number of pesticides on crops, their ban would affect the production of vegetables and fruits in the state, say experts of the council.
Around 1.35 lakh farmers in the state are affiliated to VFPCK. In 2010-11, these farmers cultivated over 3.53 lakh tonnes of vegetables and 5.1 lakh tonnes of fruits, helping the VFPCK record a turnover of Rs 157 crore.
“The ban will have its effect in the production of vegetables and fruits since the farmers use them widely. However, we will try to find alternative solutions like organic fertilisers,” said N. Vijayan, director, VFPCK.
The Experts feel that the government should have identified alternative measures before taking the decision on the ban.
“It is difficult to find an alternative to chemical fertilisers in Kerala. For several years farmers have been using them, and organic fertilisers cannot replace the highly effective chemical ones.
“This will affect the production,” said M. James, former deputy director, Department of Agriculture, and president, Kerala state banana growers association.
But Balakrishnan Nair, chairman of Sangamaithri, an organisation of farmers, differs. “If effectively applied, organic substitutes like neem oil, neem leaves, garlic water, lime, chilly and urine of cows can substitute chemical fertilisers. We have been practising this for many years,” he says.
Experts agree that the real problem is with the sale of the produce. If the locally cultivated vegetables and fruits have more takers in Kerala, the farmers won’t face any problem, they say.
