Pesticides Will Enhance Hunger

Recently a chaotic situation aroused in Tharparkar district of Sindh where several deaths occurred. The reason behind this was none other than hunger. Tharparkar district was already categorized as one of the most food insecure area but even then it was continuously neglected. Malnutrition, starvation, epidemic and mortality were at same place. Population suffering from extreme hunger is increasing due to climatic changes, chemical residual effects and inefficiency of government regarding food production and distribution. Now we are facing natural disaster as no rain from last few months and drought conditions but in the long run extensive use of chemicals for increasing the productivity will cause food poisoned with chemicals. There will be abundant food but not for the purpose of eating, if eaten it would welcome several diseases. The chemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, weedicides and fertilizers having residual effects poses serious threats to health of environment.

Pesticides constitute a range of deadly chemicals which are sprayed on different crops in agriculture to control pest insects as well as in the houses to eradicate pests. There are several health risks to human beings associated with pesticide use as most of these pesticides act as carcinogenic and mutagenic agents (Zohair, 2001). Pesticide residues can be defined as the trace amounts of the metabolites and active substances in pesticides which stay on food commodity following their application during pre-harvest or post-harvest handling. Physico-chemical properties of the compound and atmospheric conditions (in which pesticide is applied) are the two main factors affecting the degradation rates of pesticides (Galt, 2009). When high concentrations of pesticide residues are ingested, they can cause poisonings. Out of insecticides sub-classes organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) have the property of relatively higher acute toxicity as compared to organochlorines. At the same time they are capable of rapid degradation in hot environment than organochlorine compounds that have been prohibited. But the residues of organochlorine are still present as toxin in food and environment.

In Pakistan, pesticides application is not being appropriately synchronized with the requirements causing the accumulation of pesticides residues in food commodities. These residues pose health risks to the end users. Harvesting/picking and marketing of the treated food commodities is done without taking into account the waiting period between the last spray and harvest period. Presence of pesticide residues in any food commodity above the respective MRLs after harvesting is important regarding food safety. Consumption of such food commodities is very dangerous for human health as these rsidues disturb several physiological functions of human body. They also pollute the air, soil and water in our environment.

No doubt food production has been increased with the help of pesticides application. This increase in food production is parallel to the population intensification in many countries of the world. Use of insecticides has controlled or eliminated many insect-borne diseases. Insecticides are being used as chemical weapons of warfare. OPPs may be the source of acute or chronic poisonings after suicidal or accidental exposure. In developing countries like Pakistan OPPs is the well-known group of chemicals used as suicidal agent. According to an estimate, annually 3,000,000 people are victims of insecticides exposure leading to 300,000 fatalities approximately. Intentional or accidental ingestion or exposures to pesticides used in agriculture sector are the common sources of toxicity. Other possible sources of organophosphorus toxicity include eating of infected vegetables, flour, cooking oil, fruits and using the polluted clothes (Athar et al., 2008).

Due to lack of education and extension services, the farmers of our country do not know that which pesticide is to be used for the target pest. Secondly, they do not have knowledge about the accurate application procedure. Another reason for pesticide poising in Pakistan is ignorance of the farmer about the recommended dose of pesticide to be applied. Also the farmers do not know that at what stage pesticides are to be applied. Technical and sales staff of private pesticide firms usually provides extension services for the farmers at field level in Pakistan. It is usual practice to recommend over doses of pesticides by these firms to enhance their economic gains.

So, it is suggested that there should be monitoring program for use of pesticides on food security crops as well as fruits and vegetables emphasizing on reduction of pesticide use. Use of the pesticides or chemicals which are not dangerous for human health should be encouraged and research on such products should be conducted to assure safety for consumers.