Sri. Subhash Sharma, a well know organic farmer in Yavatmal sharing his experiences in non-chemical farming methods

MAPPP together with Shetkari Nyayhakk Andolan Samithi and PAN India organised a one day Youth Resource Group training to sensitise them on the health and environmental effects of pesticides; Options for farmers in crop protection. The program was organised on the 30th of January 2021 at the Senior Citizen Bhavan in Yavatmal City.

About 35 participants, mostly college level students participated in the training program. Sessions on the health and environmental effects of pesticides was presented by Dr. Narasimha Reddy (Advisor of MAPPP) and Dileep Kumar A. D. (Assistant Director PAN India). Dr Reddy highlighted that ‘pesticides are in use since a few decades and the use has been increasing year by year. Thus the impact of pesticides have been on rise and this can be seen among the farming community. The inhalational and contact poisoning of farming communities, happened in 2017 and 2018 were the evidences of direct impact of pesticides. Thus pesticide can cause both acute and chronic illnesses and disorders to individuals who handle pesticides and no cure is available to them. The pollution caused by pesticides are also serious concerns as that form the basis for indirect exposure by communities and over a long period of time its effects can bee marked among the community as serous health outcome which we would not able to manage medically. Therefore it is important that the toxic agrochemicals are not used for farming and we move to non chemical farming options.

Dr. Narasimha Reddy, advisor of MAPPP and honorary director of PAN India talking in the resource group training

Sri Subhash Sharma, a well known organic farmer who is based in Yavatmal spoke on alternative farming methods that can be effective followed and to stop usage of the harmful agrochemicals. He shared his experience of running organic farm. “I have been into farming without using agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers since a few years and I have been using locally available farm inputs as fertilisers. I have been growing vegetables, leafy vegetables, pulses and oilseeds I have realised that the proclivity has improved. He encouraged the participants in the training to try organic farming in a small piece of land and to gain confidence as there is no other way to get rid of the harmful effects chemicals pesticides.

Participants in the Resource Group Training