Pesticides and Mode of Action - 2 | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Effect of Pesticides

Pesticides exert multiple impacts on our environment, health, and even within our homes.
These effects can be categorized as follows:

Environmental Impact

During their application in fields, chemical pesticides contribute to environmental pollution. While their effects are typically short-lived, prolonged presence in the environment can pose significant risks to both the environment and human health. Sprayed on crops, these pesticides may extend beyond their intended areas.

Impact on Crops and Soil

Pesticides have detrimental effects on soil quality, consequently affecting the quality and yield of food crops. The use of chemical pesticides can diminish the nutritional value of food and introduce contamination. When consuming foods like apples, lettuce, potatoes, or strawberries treated with pesticides, these substances enter the body and may give rise to various health issues. Despite being designed to target crop-damaging organisms, chemical pesticides also pose harm to other living entities.

Health Consequences

Exposure to different pesticides can result in both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) health problems. Acute effects encompass issues like rashes, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, breathing difficulties, and eye irritation. On the other hand, chronic effects can lead to more severe conditions such as birth defects, cancers, neurological harm, and reproductive issues. The manifestation of symptoms for chronic health problems may take months or even years.

Use of Pesticides

Farmers utilize pesticides and insecticides to protect crops from insects and worms, aiming to meet the high demands of food production on limited land. In the pursuit of abundant and uncontaminated crops, farmers resort to the use of these chemicals, despite the adverse impact on soil fertility that often accompanies their application. The necessity for pesticides arises from the dual goal of achieving a bountiful yield while preserving human health by preventing fungal infections in food crops.

In a bid to fulfill government food sufficiency targets, farmers have extended the application of pesticides and fertilizers to enhance crop production. In the contemporary agricultural landscape, farmers heavily depend on pesticides to boost global agricultural productivity and safeguard plantations against a diverse array of insects, pests, and diseases.

Reasons Farmers Use More Pesticides

• Pesticides help farmers to produce more yield with less land. 
• Pesticides assure huge harvests. 
• Pesticides help keep food cheap. 
• Pesticides help to reduce waterborne and insect-transmitted disease
• No hardship of hand weeding.
• More produce is limited.

How is Organic Farming more Effective?

In today's thriving food industry, the term "organic" has become ubiquitous, prompting a need for a redefinition, particularly concerning organic fruits and vegetables. The initial step in this direction involves the production of high-quality and premium organic produce for the population. Despite their relatively higher cost and less visually appealing appearance, these organic fruits and vegetables boast significant nutritional benefits, being free from the harmful effects of pesticides.

Modern consumers increasingly seek high-quality food that is minimally impacted by pesticides and insecticides, recognizing their potential adverse effects on health. Consequently, some farmers are transitioning from conventional farming to organic practices to meet this demand. While organic farming has its limitations, certain farmers are committed to implementing these methods to ensure long-term soil fertility. The overuse of fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides can render topsoil toxic, leading to decreased yields and barren land.

Organic farming goes beyond producing food grains and pulses; it encompasses a diverse range of products, including fruits, vegetables, spices, dairy items, soaps, shampoos, processed foods, juices, jams, and dry fruits. This shift toward organic farming is gradually influencing a specific segment of our economy.

However, even organic products have their drawbacks. The term "organic" signifies products produced without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While these products offer numerous benefits, they often come at a higher price compared to conventional alternatives. Additionally, maintaining organic farms typically requires more effort and financial investment.