No, it’s not an emotional outburst though reading newspapers has left me upset today. But, I want you to start thinking from this basic question.
It is about the verdict of June 7 by the Bhopal court in the case of Bhopal Gas Tragedy. All the seven convicts in the BGT have been sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of Rs 1 lakh each and, got bail for a surety of Rs 25,000 each. The Union Carbide India Ltd. has been found guilty and is fined of Rs 5 lakh for the industrial disaster. And, that’s all! While, the disaster claimed more than 15,000 lives and affected the health of about 5 lakh people in varying degrees. The BGT happened in December 1984 and the verdict is come after 26 years!
There could be a more ‘practical’ argument that why not insist on strengthening the legal framework to deal efficiently with industrial disasters than questioning the ‘so called’ obvious existence of pesticide plants? But, I think that’s mitigation with the underlying assumption that we’ll let it happen first and then find the ways to deal with it. And, till the time we reach the right solutions let the victims (that is always a common man!) pay the cost of development. Why in the name of development we often come up with things that have high costs over benefits? And, the costs are always to be paid by ‘them’!
There is another common argument in favour of modern agricultural (mono-cultural?!) technologies that we do need them to acquire ‘food security’. But, does the use of pesticides really provide it? Where?
Rather it is seen that more the cash crops and more the consequent use of pesticides, more is the number of farmers’ suicides… look at cotton farming in Vidarbha . On the other hand, we do have traditional and natural ways of farming. A comprehensive research into the traditional farming systems can help achieve food security with ‘diversity’ as a value addition! And, that needs no chemical pesticides.
Now, the last question that will lead you to the answer of the first one… Will you prefer chemical-free or chemical-loaded food on your own platter?
-Reshma
It is about the verdict of June 7 by the Bhopal court in the case of Bhopal Gas Tragedy. All the seven convicts in the BGT have been sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of Rs 1 lakh each and, got bail for a surety of Rs 25,000 each. The Union Carbide India Ltd. has been found guilty and is fined of Rs 5 lakh for the industrial disaster. And, that’s all! While, the disaster claimed more than 15,000 lives and affected the health of about 5 lakh people in varying degrees. The BGT happened in December 1984 and the verdict is come after 26 years!There could be a more ‘practical’ argument that why not insist on strengthening the legal framework to deal efficiently with industrial disasters than questioning the ‘so called’ obvious existence of pesticide plants? But, I think that’s mitigation with the underlying assumption that we’ll let it happen first and then find the ways to deal with it. And, till the time we reach the right solutions let the victims (that is always a common man!) pay the cost of development. Why in the name of development we often come up with things that have high costs over benefits? And, the costs are always to be paid by ‘them’!
There is another common argument in favour of modern agricultural (mono-cultural?!) technologies that we do need them to acquire ‘food security’. But, does the use of pesticides really provide it? Where?
Rather it is seen that more the cash crops and more the consequent use of pesticides, more is the number of farmers’ suicides… look at cotton farming in Vidarbha . On the other hand, we do have traditional and natural ways of farming. A comprehensive research into the traditional farming systems can help achieve food security with ‘diversity’ as a value addition! And, that needs no chemical pesticides.
Now, the last question that will lead you to the answer of the first one… Will you prefer chemical-free or chemical-loaded food on your own platter?
-Reshma
Dear Reshma,
ReplyDeleteread your blog. Glad to know that someone cares.
Because of BT Cotton, the yield of cotton has increased by more than 3 times in many cases and nearly doubled on average. The cost of spraying has gone down significantly. The reason behind farmer's suicides is not new technologies but the government policy of suppressing prices to help local textile industry. This suppressed prices over many years have taken their toll.
Please understand that traditional farming will never be able to feed today's population. We must make use of technology or we will have to starve.
And if anyone really wants chemical free food, he may have it but the cost of the same would be prohibitively high so that only the rich would be able to afford it. Now if you want figures I can provide all. If you have time I can send you some PDFs.
Regards
I agree with u Reshma. India has ample land which is allready fertile and if planed properly we can cultivate sufficient food. Even the seasons in India are just so perfect for agriculture. Technology shld be used for cultivation and not In the cultivation. Tractors, water harvest plans etc r necessary but not the chemical plowing.
ReplyDeleteI recently read the news that China has even managed to produce eggs using some chemicals. they look, taste just like ordinary eggs. Am sure within few months to come, those eggs will be sold in India mkt too.
I do feel that pesticide free farming is essential considering the harm that pesticides/ chemical fertilizers have caused to our environment. Humanity is going to need food until it lasts and the food security that is obtained with the use of pesticides is not going to last as much. Methods of cultivation which do not harm the environment are essential. I read a book called 'One Straw Revolution' by M. Fukuoka and was influenced by his philosophy of farming. If you havent read it, I think it is worth reading. It is available online on http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/ .
ReplyDelete