No pesticides, more profits!
Punukula, a small village in Khammam district in Andhra Pradesh (AP), declared itself pesticide-free in 2003. Farmers here don't use pesticides even for crops such as cotton, Bengal gram, chilli and paddy — all known to use notoriously high quantities of pesticides.
In the past five years, the State has had frequent spells of drought and thousands of farmers have committed suicide. An estimated 1,200 suicide deaths were reported between June and August 2004. One of the reasons for the rise in suicides has been the crushing burden of debt; many farmers buy expensive seeds and pesticides and when the crops fail, their own survival becomes difficult. Against this scenario the pesticide-free status of the predominantly tribal village of Punukula gains significance.
The Hindu Business Line
In the past five years, the State has had frequent spells of drought and thousands of farmers have committed suicide. An estimated 1,200 suicide deaths were reported between June and August 2004. One of the reasons for the rise in suicides has been the crushing burden of debt; many farmers buy expensive seeds and pesticides and when the crops fail, their own survival becomes difficult. Against this scenario the pesticide-free status of the predominantly tribal village of Punukula gains significance.
The Hindu Business Line
posted by das at 10:15 AM
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