The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tirunelveli News : Return to organic farming methods, says scientist

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli

Return to organic farming methods, says scientist

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI, JAN. 21. Listing the harmful effects of fertilizers and pesticides being used by farmers across the country, A.G. Murugesan, scientist of Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Sciences, Alwarkurichi, has appealed to the agriculturists to return to organic farming methods.

Delivering the keynote address in the Simpson Sri Anantharamakrishnan Centenary Commemorative Lecture at Sri Parmakalyani College, Alwarkurichi, today, Dr. Murugesan said the country was in need of 225 million tonnes of food grains every year to meet the demand of the ever-growing population.

This requirement was being achieved by dumping an average of 16 kg of soil boosters, fertilizers etc per hectare, though the actual need of the plant was fulfilled by a minimum quantity of 10 to 20 per cent of it.

And the remaining portion leaches out to reach the neighbouring water bodies and ultimately, the mankind.

"This elevates the nitrate level in the water beyond its maximum acceptable concentration level of 45 mg per litre. For instance, some of the open wells in Rajasthan have nitrate content of 1,310 mg per litre. The consumption of nitrate-rich water causes an alarming impact in children aged below one year and pregnant women. In children, it causes `methemo globinemia,' popularly known as `Blue Baby Syndrome.' Adults suffer from reduced gastric acidity, headache, weakness, anoxia etc."

Even the soil ecosystem shows adverse effects as the fertilizers in excess put a check on the diversified soil micro flora. Moreover, the population of the earthworms sharply decline in places where excess fertilizers, pesticides and other soil boosters were used.

Creating an imbalance in the total ecosystem, it affects formation of humus layer, rendering the soil unfit to support fauna and flora.

Mr. Murugesan said excessive use of fertilizers had resulted in the drop of protein content (20 to 25 per cent), loss of potassium, Vitamin C and K in several commercial crops such as wheat, maize and corn.

Though the size of the vegetables is so large, the nutritive value and the shelf life are much below than the expected levels.

About the evolution of a range of pesticides in the past two decades to destroy new bugs, the scientist said these insect killers also affect the nervous system, liver, lungs, kidney and even the brain as the farmers are constantly exposed to these harmful chemical agents. "Above all, it causes even impotency in human beings, according to recent researches," he said.

Manufacture of adequate quantity of organic manure in every area was possible as 404 million tonnes of vegetable waste, 2,018 million tonnes of animal waste and 29 million tonnes of other garbage were being generated in the country in just 365 days.

"With this huge resource, we can produce about 57 per cent of organic fertilizers, which are rich in nutrients to ensure enhanced food production without affecting the environment and other living organisms," he said.

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