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Implementation of human and environment-friendly agricultural practices is “very low”: National Audit Office
Cultivators of all types of food crops are not following a Government regulation dated 2017 mandating a 14-day interval between the last application of pesticides (particularly the insecticide Profenofos) and the harvest, the National Audit Office (NAO) has found.
NAO officers held discussions with farmers as part of an environmental audit on the import, use and environmental effect of pesticides in Sri Lanka. Between 2013 and 2017, the country brought in 28,640 metric tons of pesticides. More than half of it was herbicides. But the audit observed a continuous demand for Profenofos, Carbosulfan and Fenobucarb, all of which were insecticides.
By June last year, 80 importers were listed with the Office of the Registrar of Pesticides. The audit found imports were largely approved on the basis of quality certificates issued by producing countries. They were not verified in local laboratories. And, even where they were tested, limited parameters (18 out of 200 active ingredients) were used because available equipment and staff were “not satisfactory”.
Neither the issuing of certificates for selling pesticides nor monitoring of pesticide retailers was done properly or regularly, the NAO states. Meanwhile, sample tests showed farmers applying pesticides in a manner unsuitable to the environment or to human health when cultivating crops such as paddy, leafy vegetables, pineapple, mango, chilies, papaya and vegetables in Ampara, Kalutara, Matara, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Puttalam and Nuwara Eliya districts.
A Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) programme was introduced in 2018 to promote human and environment-friendly agricultural practices. But implementation was “very low”.
Pesticides are sold by private dealers who dispense advice to farmers regarding their application despite not having any training or education in the use of the products, the audit said. While chemicals were intended for the elimination of fungi, pests and weeds, they are now used as means of increasing production at low cost and preserving the harvest.
There was inadequate modern equipment or staff to carry out laboratory tests to check the maximum residue levels of pesticides in food. There were still no Government regulations outlining processes to be followed when pesticides expire. There were also not enough provisions related to pesticide disposal. Inspectors on field visits observed empty packaging, including bottles, discarded unsafely in the open.
The last recommendations on pesticide management–which state what quantity of pesticide is approval per crop–are dated 2015. They must be updated, auditors said.
Many times, a particular active ingredient is introduced to a farmer (and, therefore, the cultivation) under various trade names. There were no restrictions on the maximum number of brand names that could be registered under one active ingredient.
A circular from the Registrar of Pesticides in January 2018 observed a “great increase” in residue of the highly hazardous Profenofos in food crops due to higher usage. Imports have now been reduced.
Auditors found that farmers understood the harmful effects of pesticides. However, they had been applying these chemicals without the proper technical guidance, relying mostly only instructions of sales outlets and other farmers. The input of Agriculture Instructors is not properly obtained.
But some farmers also believed they could not get expected results by applying recommended doses and, therefore, used increased quantities. Farmers were using pesticides in high volume against their advice, Agriculture Research and Production Assistants complained auditors. These officers had insufficient theoretical and practical training or up-to-date knowledge.
In June 2017, the Government approved Etofenprox (insecticide) for use in crops such as rice and corn. But it was seen during a field visit in the Matara district that it was used also for leafy vegetables.
Farmers are required by law to use full protection when applying pesticides. A questionnaire administered by audit inspectors to 51 farmers proved that only three of them comply.
Many farmers were willing to use organic fertiliser but must be given opportunities to purchase high quality products that are easy to use. The audit recommends the provision of quality seeds that give more harvest and have strong resistance to pests. It also urges that facilities be made so farmers can buy pesticides and fertiliser that cause minimum damage to the environment and human health.