Other States - Rajasthan   

Farmers hit by pesticide spraying

JAIPUR: A young farmer reportedly died and over 100 were taken ill after suspected poisoning while applying pesticides in their fields in Shahpura and Gulabpura tehsils of Bhilwara district in Rajasthan during the past two days.

The hot climate coupled with humidity in the air after the rains purportedly led to the poisoning of the farmers, many of whom are admitted to various hospitals in the area. The district authorities, however, attributed the cause of death to other reasons and put the number of affected at just over 30.

Farmer Raichand Bairwa of Arnia Ghod panchayat in Shahpura tehsil reportedly died of poisoning after spraying the pesticide, Endo-sulphan, in the fields. Many others reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea after applying pesticides in the fields of maize, moong and til.

Bhilwara Collector Hemant Gera, speaking on phone, said the death of the farmer was due to reasons other than pesticide poisoning. According to him, on the first day (Sunday) 19 farmers reported with complaints of vomiting and nausea in local hospitals. They were discharged after 24 hours. Another group of 12 admitted with similar complaints were discharged on Monday, he added.

The Collector said the poisoning was taking place due to the weather conditions and lack of precautions by the farmers while spraying. “Many of them do not wear mask while spraying and in many cases the pesticides are applied by hand instead of using sprays,” he said.

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