A law for the farmer

Pesticide Management Bill should address the anomalies that prevent state governments from booking large pesticide companies.

Written by Ajay Vir Jakhar | Published: J

Pesticide Management Bill, Indian farmers, india farmers, pesticides death, pesticides in market, GST, indian express

Farmers continue to commit suicide in large numbers and one primary cause, not even discussed in hushed tones, is the sale of misbranded (substandard, spurious, expired) pesticides.

“Until lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter,” goes an old African proverb, which is also apt to describe the state of the world’s farmers. Farmers are like the hunted lions who need their side of the story told and their sacrifices, agony, courage and fears to be brought to light. The hunters may well be likened to today’s businesses, academicians, farmer leaders, media houses, politicians and officials who want to extract glory and career advancement from farmers’ misery.