Every farmer’s grievance/ crop failure is a wound the nation must feel. The ongoing review of Paraquat Dichloride and Glyphosate, prompted by the reports of severe poisoning in Telangana, deserves both compassion and clear and rational scientific reasoning. While poisoning and death due to lapses needs investigation and solution, the policy response must strike at the real cause of harm and not on the mishap without studying the issue. Removing a molecule that had undergone rigorous scrutiny from the shelf may be an act of administration.

However, within itself, it could neither protect the gullible farmer from poisoning nor the crops from losses due to devastating weeds. The challenges are many, but farmers’ livelihood is their fundamental right, and we, the responsible citizens, must stand steadfast for this cause. The evidence on what drives farmer suicides is well established. Indebtedness, crop failure due to counterfeit and substandard agricultural inputs, lack of timely institutional credit, and poor price realization arising from inefficient marketing systems are among the principal factors that push distressed farmers to the brink, and not the chemistry printed on a pesticide label.

Withdrawing a registered crop protection product does not eliminate debt, restore a failed crop or ensure remunerative prices. Where pesticides are misused for self-harm, the focus must be on identifying and supporting individuals experiencing severe emotional or financial distress. In this regard, the Government’s initiative of introducing a toll-free helpline for counselling and mental health support is a welcome and commendable step.

However, if a person is determined to take an extreme step, there are many means available. Therefore, policy interventions should focus on addressing the underlying socio-economic causes rather than restricting essential agricultural tools that millions of farmers depend upon. Herbicides and other crop protection products are indispensable to modern agriculture, particularly for small and marginal farmers, as they provide an affordable and effective means of protecting crops, managing labour shortages and improving productivity.

Stakeholders of crop protection have consistently promoted the right product, at the right dose, at the right time and in the right manner, strictly in accordance with the recommendations provided on product labels and leaflets. However, their capacity to reach every farmer is limited. Farmer education and awareness are ultimately a public responsibility and require sustained governmental support.

It is pertinent to recall the observation of a former Union Finance Minister that several extension experiments have been undertaken over the years, but none has been sufficiently effective in reaching farmers at scale. Today,  government is investing thousands of crores of rupees in nationwide campaigns to create awareness about cybercrime. Unfortunately, despite its critical importance, agricultural extension has not received the priority it deserves, given that nearly half of India’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture.

Should there not be an equally intensive national campaign to educate farmers on scientific crop management, balanced use of fertilizers, safe and judicious use of crop protection products, and the identification of counterfeit agricultural inputs? The Government deserves appreciation for promoting crop insurance through substantial premium support. At the same time, scientifically evaluated crop protection chemicals........

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