India is known for being a player in global agriculture and leans heavily upon pesticides to safeguard crop yields and fend off pests effectively. This blog delves into the issue of pesticide remnants, in farming areas that rely heavily on pesticides and emphasizes the critical need to tackle the same.

The Promise of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)

The Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC) of India establishes Maximum Residue Limits (MRLS) for pesticides in crops to uphold the safety of food consumed by the public in alignment with international standards and performs research with an aim to safeguard consumers from potential risks associated with pesticide residues. For example:

  • Chlorpyrifos is a pesticide often applied to vegetables. It has a maximum residue limit (MRL) ranging from 01 to 05 milligrams, per kilogram. 
  • Glyphosate is a herbicide that is permitted at a concentration of 1 mg/kg on crops such as teas and pulses. 
  • Monocrotophos is limited to a maximum of 0.05 mg/kg for crops such as cotton, vegetables, and sugarcane. 

Farmers should stick to such recommended guidelines and follow spraying schedules to keep pesticide residues at safe levels for consumption in our food supply chain. 

The Situation at Hand 

Problem Statement: Excessive Pesticide Usage and Remaining Amounts in Important Farming Regions of India

The concept of MRL enforcement is intended to shield crops from harm. However, in India, many farmers either apply pesticides excessively or disregard regulations, resulting in residue levels surpassing the set legal limits excessively. 

Punjab stands out as the hub of excessive utilization.

In India’s agricultural region of Punjab lies a concerning moniker, also known as “cancer belt,”  which is mainly attributed to the prevalent cases of cancer believed to stem from pesticide exposure in the area. Research conducted by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) shed light on a discovery. Over 70% of tested vegetables in the state surpassed Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), unveiling elevated concentrations of hazardous substances such as chlorpyrifos and monocrotophos. 

A recent study conducted by PGIMER in Chandigarh revealed that 40% of groundwater samples in farming areas such as Bhatinda were discovered to have pesticide levels that exceeded the allowed limits. Massive pesticide application in Punjab has resulted in its water and soil pollution, which consequently seeps into the food supply chain, posing long term health hazards for both consumers and agricultural workers. 

Haryana

In the state of Haryana known for its agriculture studies, a study conducted in Karnal and Panipat revealed that levels of pesticides such as atrazine in groundwater are far exceeding the safety limits for drinking water set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Farmers often tend to use herbicides like atrazine to combat weeds in sugarcane and maize crops, resulting in prolonged contamination of the water sources. 

Note: For the very reason witnessed in Haryana’s case, organic standards such as India’s NPOP, EU Organic, and USDA’s NOP warrant that irrigation water should be free from contamination from chemicals, including synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Water that could bring residues of these substances should not be used for irrigation. It is a massive problem in India as many states use canals or river streaks for irrigation, and they are often loaded with such chemicals and harmful pesticides or synthetics. Even groundwater is not safe in many regions. 

Maharashtra

In Yavatmal, Maharashtra, there is a concerning issue of pesticide poisoning being reported. 

The situation in Maharashtra is as worrying too because back in 2017, around 50 farmers from the Yavatmal district unfortunately passed away due to severe pesticide poisoning incidents, which came as a shock to everyone involved in agriculture activities. It was later found out that the farmers had been utilizing unauthorized mixes of pesticides, resulting in high quantities of harmful substances like monocrotophos and several other chemicals being present in the environment. This posed a serious threat as these pesticides often surpass the permissible limits, posing risks of toxicity to both farm laborers and consumers alike. 

The Health Effects of Going Beyond Maximum Residue Levels

When pesticides surpass their Maximum Residue Limits (MRL), the outcomes can have implications for health and wellbeing, as evidenced by a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) focusing on pesticide usage in India. 

High levels of chlorpyrifos usage have been proven to result in neurodevelopmental problems in kids like delays in cognitive development and behavioral disorders. Research indicates that exposure to this pesticide during pregnancy is associated with IQ levels and memory issues in children. 

Glyphosate has been labeled as “likely to cause cancer in humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC). It has links to Hodgkin’s lymphoma and can lead to liver and kidney issues when taken in large quantities for extended periods of time. 

Monocrotophos is infamous for its toxicity that can lead to breathing difficulties and nausea or even result in fatalities if not handled properly; prolonged exposure has also been associated with neurological issues and an increased susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease. 

In places such as Punjab where pesticide levels often surpass safety limits set for residues in farming produce, the impact on people is apparent through incidences of cancer cases and developmental issues along with various long term health problems. 

Enforcement Failures. The Vulnerable Point

One major hurdle in dealing with this problem is the issue of enforcement being inadequate in practice despite having MRL standards in place. This results in the misuse of pesticides due to poor enforcement and farmers lack of awareness about the associated risks, such as pre harvest intervals and correct dosages, which leads to excessive application. 

The Center for Science and Environment (CES) as per their findings in regions such as Maharashtra, indicates that farmers often employ combinations of pesticides leading to elevated residue levels on crops exceeding permissible limits set forth in regulatory guidelines. To combat this issue effectively and prevent its occurrence, it is crucial to enhance monitoring mechanisms and enforce Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). Negligence in addressing this concern poses risks not just to public health but also jeopardizes the well being of the environment.

 A study done by the Centre for Science and Environment, titled State of Pesticide Regulations in India, Issue Year 2013, has 59 pesticides that have no well defined MRLs, and pose severe and acute impacts on the health of humans. A soft research by Dharma Naturals shows that the MRL limits for these 59 pesticides are still not established. Our research also shows that these non-MRL pesticides are readily available in the market and actively being used by the farmers. Collectively, many of these 59 unregulated pesticides pose severe risks to humans, and, in many cases, fish or aquatic lifeforms. We are further investigating the true status of these pesticides and will publish a report with our findings. Please lookout for a follow up blog to this writeup. The researched references will provide detailed insights into the toxicological profiles, mechanisms of toxicity, and long-term health implications of exposure to these unregulated pesticides and their current status with Indian food regulatory bodies, mainly FSSAI. 

Embracing Organic and Sustainable Agriculture for a Future

In order to address the issue of pesticides effectively in India’s agriculture sector, the country should adopt regenerative farming methods that aim to minimize or eliminate the use of chemical substances significantly. Organic farming emphasizes utilizing natural options such as biobased pesticides and compost that do not leave behind any harmful residues on crops or in the surrounding environment. States like Sikkim serve as a model for successful chemical free agriculture by completely transitioning to organic farming practices. 

Regenerative farming takes soil wellness and biodiversity into account by using methods such as no till cultivation and crop rotation while implementing natural pest control methods to lessen the need for chemicals. We at Dharma Naturals are engaged in such regenerative practices and are strong proponents of the same. 

Conclusion

Pesticide residues that surpass the limits in India are a concerning issue, particularly in important agricultural regions such as Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Despite the presence of regulations, they are not effectively implemented, resulting in the excessive use and misuse of harmful chemicals. This has resulted in a public health emergency marked by rising cancer cases, neurological issues, and long-term illnesses nationwide. 

India must take action by enhancing enforcement measures and educating farmers about the responsible use of pesticides while promoting organic and regenerative farming as viable sustainable alternatives to ensure food security and protect both its citizens and the health of agricultural lands. 

Sources and Citations

  1. NCBI Article:  Pesticide Use in Indian Agriculture: Trends, Market Structure, and Policy Issues. Available at:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6240772/
  2. Punjab Agricultural University Studies: Studies on pesticide residues in vegetables in Punjab. Link not publicly available but referenced in internal university research and reports.
  3. PGIMER, Chandigarh: Research on pesticide contamination in Punjab groundwater. Available at: https://pgimer.edu.in/PGIMER_PORTAL/PGIMERPORTAL/home.jsp 
  4. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Report: Pesticide Use in Maharashtra and Farmer Deaths. Available at: https://www.cseindia.org/ (Please search the website for specific reports on pesticide usage and regulations).
  5. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Classification: IARC classification of glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Available at: https://monographs.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono112-10.pdf
  6. University of California Study on Atrazine: Impact of Atrazine on Endocrine Disruption and Reproductive Health. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2725055/
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