Pesticides! Used in farming and grain storage, these chemicals have been the source of debate for a long time. Concerns regarding its use for agricultural pest control were first raised around the 1920s. However, widespread awareness of its harmful effects occurred in the 1960s, especially after the release of the book ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson.
So what are pesticides?
Pesticide usage in some form or the other began soon after the birth of farming and the need for grain storage. As we know them now, these artificial chemicals target and control pests that assail crops. Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, bactericides, et al are all termed as pesticides.
One of the most widely used pesticides, especially in developed countries, was DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). However, as more people became aware of its pitfalls, especially in the wake of “Silent Spring”, it was eventually banned. Today, DDT finds its use in some developing countries in products such as mosquito repellents.
Pesticides help with pest control and reduce wastage of agricultural produce. With intensive levels of farming, crops have become easy targets for pests. Pests damage crops, reduce yield and raise costs. Hence, pesticides come into play to reduce such problems. This aids crop productivity, but has a serious drawback. Pests can gradually mutate to become pesticide-resistant. The farmer is thus faced with a bigger pest control problem than the one he initially had.
Effect of Pesticides on the Environment
Inorganic pesticides have a severe impact on the environment.
Unable to differentiate between the good and the bad, they are responsible for wiping out nutrient generating micro-organisms. Sadly, the very chemicals designed to improve productivity tend to hamper it through the reduction in soil fertility. One reason for this side effect is the negative effect on nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation converts the nitrogen in the air to ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds. The lack of such a process affects plant growth. It damages the plant population and leads to adverse effects on the larger ecosystem.
An impact on the local ecosystems can greatly affect bird, animal and insect population. Insecticides can wipe out insect colonies such as those of bees which are mainly responsible for pollination.
Pesticide toxicity accumulates as you go up the food chain. Through leaching, these chemicals seep into groundwater and contaminate a wide area. Animals and humans consume this water which leads to toxicity build-up throughout the animal food chain.
Effect of Pesticides on Humans (Farmers and Consumers)
Inorganic pesticides can cause acute or delayed poisoning in humans. Due to their toxicity, some can disrupt endocrine glands and negatively impact nervous systems. Severe cases of pesticide exposure even cause cancer.
Human exposure occurs in a variety of ways. Through inhalation, consuming food products like grains, fruits and vegetables with trace amounts of pesticides or by drinking water contaminated by these pest targeting chemicals.
Pesticide exposure can take two forms. High-level exposure or low-level long-term exposure.
People living in rural areas, especially farmers and their families are at a higher risk because of their direct involvement in spraying pesticides on crops. They can also get exposed by consuming contaminated groundwater drawn from wells.
Children do not have fully developed immune systems and are more vulnerable to side effects. Trace amounts of pesticides which enter their bodies tend to accumulate. This leads to increased toxicity in their systems, which interferes in their development while growing up.
Health is a factor that almost no one wishes to compromise on. As a result, to the 21st-century consumer, it is clear that the harmful side effects of pesticides outweigh the short-term benefits of these chemicals.
Alternatives
The negative effect of pesticides is undeniable. Alternatives to these inorganic or synthetic chemicals include Integrated Pest Management and organic or bio-pesticides.
But with regards to grain storage, the prevalent practice still remains to spray pesticides (organic or inorganic) on grains before sealing them away. However, even organic ones such as organophosphates are not fully non-contaminating. They leave behind residue even in the best cases.
An alternative to pesticide dependent grain storage is storage using hermetic bags. These bags provide air-tight storage solutions. They stop the exchange of oxygen with outside air and promote anaerobic storage. Not only does this naturally and speedily stop pest growth, but it also preserves the aroma and freshness of the grains.
In a generation that has realized the importance of natural and organic food, SaveGrain Bags has taken the initiative to create an organic grain storage solution. Its bags reduce the use of pesticides and are completely recyclable.
