Impact of the Green Revolution in India

A seminar in March this year, organised by the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) at Pantnagar, northern India, examined the problems of pesticides and potential solutions, in the aftermath of the Green Revolution. The meeting was attended by NGOs, agricultural scientists, health professionals and government officials. Alok Mukhopadhyay of VHAI, outlined the problems posed by pesticides to human health, and the grass roots training now in place in India. He was perturbed that “we always think of the West for an answer. For example, the Neem is a native of India, but all the work on its pest control properties is taking place in Germany”. He said each society should work out their own answers. Papers presented covered sustainable agriculture, pesticide residues, pesticide usage, organic farming and integrated pest management (IPM).

    Participants called for formulation of a rational national policy on pesticides. They outlined the need to establish biocontrol and pesticide residue analysis laboratories. The facilities for studying organic farming and IPM need further development. A ban pesticides in India which are already banned in five or more countries was recommended, as was effective implementation of Prior Informed Consent. It was felt that extremely hazardous pesticides should only be available on prescription.

Green Revolution - Impact on Health and Environment, Proceedings of the National Seminar 29-30 March 1993, Voluntary Health Association of India, 40 Institutional Area, New Delhi-110 016, India, 1993, 82pp.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No.21,September 1993, page 12]