Jisha Surya
First Published : 20 Oct 2010
KATTAPPANA: Even as the Stockholm convention of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on Tuesday proposed a ban on the use of the deadly Endosulfan pesticide, it is revealed that a large number of farmers in Idukki have stepped up its use in cardamom plantations.
Unmindful of the ban on Endosulfan imposed by the Kerala High Court in 2002, the cardamom planters are using Endosulfan rampantly.
Its use is common at big and small cardamom plantations in Pooppara, Udumbanchola and Rajakumari areas.
Easy availability from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and its effectiveness as a pesticide make Endosulfan a preferred choice of farmers.
And social activists are alleging that increasing cases of cancer in the area in recent times.
There is no specific checking at the Kerala-TN checkposts and pesticide bottles bought from shops in TN freely cross border. Middlemen carry the bottles in bike and sell them at plantations at almost double the price. Usually `300-400 are paid by the local planter for a one-litre bottle.
According to local pesticide trader Jijo, small scale farmers in the area demand Endosulfan every day. “They knew it has serious after effects.
But, Endosulfan is highly effective in controlling pests such as stem borer. Though not available in shops the area, agents from Tamil Nadu are selling it here,” he said.
Endosulfan is a wide spectrum insecticide, not associated with any particular insect, which makes it more acceptable for naïve farmers. The farmers feel that spraying the chemical just before blooming would be highly effective for better crops.
Most people in the area are also aware of the increasing cancer cases and skin diseases.
O J Varkey, a cardamom farmer, said that small farmers were not using Endosulfan though it was easily available.
“It is the big estate owners who are taking this extreme step for profit. Poor plantation workers don’t know its illeffects,” he added.
First Published : 20 Oct 2010
KATTAPPANA: Even as the Stockholm convention of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on Tuesday proposed a ban on the use of the deadly Endosulfan pesticide, it is revealed that a large number of farmers in Idukki have stepped up its use in cardamom plantations.
Unmindful of the ban on Endosulfan imposed by the Kerala High Court in 2002, the cardamom planters are using Endosulfan rampantly.
Its use is common at big and small cardamom plantations in Pooppara, Udumbanchola and Rajakumari areas.
Easy availability from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and its effectiveness as a pesticide make Endosulfan a preferred choice of farmers.
And social activists are alleging that increasing cases of cancer in the area in recent times.
There is no specific checking at the Kerala-TN checkposts and pesticide bottles bought from shops in TN freely cross border. Middlemen carry the bottles in bike and sell them at plantations at almost double the price. Usually `300-400 are paid by the local planter for a one-litre bottle.
According to local pesticide trader Jijo, small scale farmers in the area demand Endosulfan every day. “They knew it has serious after effects.
But, Endosulfan is highly effective in controlling pests such as stem borer. Though not available in shops the area, agents from Tamil Nadu are selling it here,” he said.
Endosulfan is a wide spectrum insecticide, not associated with any particular insect, which makes it more acceptable for naïve farmers. The farmers feel that spraying the chemical just before blooming would be highly effective for better crops.
Most people in the area are also aware of the increasing cancer cases and skin diseases.
O J Varkey, a cardamom farmer, said that small farmers were not using Endosulfan though it was easily available.
“It is the big estate owners who are taking this extreme step for profit. Poor plantation workers don’t know its illeffects,” he added.
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