22 Augsut
THE sale of agricultural inputs, including pesticides and herbicides, has been allowed only through registered distributors as they are crucial to farmers.
The Pesticide Law does not allow the import and export of chemicals, their repackaging, or sale, whether retail or wholesale, in the country without permission from the Registration Board.
However, unregistered agricultural inputs are still entering the country through the borders.
Recently, local authorities seized 110 tanks containing 220 litres of pesticides at a company in Hlinethaya Township on 16 August during a spot check. Those who flout the rules will face charges under the Pesticide Law.
The authorities are regularly inspecting distributors to curb illegal businesses, which hurt farmers and the country’s economy.
Every year, farmers have to face problems caused by pests and diseases. Therefore, they have to pay serious attention to pest control measures to ensure high yield of crops, vegetables, fruits, and perennial crops.
As agriculture is one of the most important sectors in Myanmar economy, high yield of crops and stability in output are of vital importance. Only high crop yields and good quality agricultural produce can help us penetrate international markets, thereby bringing prosperity to farmers.
In this regard, the Pesticide Registration Board (PRB), constituted with 10 competent authorities from the ministries of Agriculture, Health and Sports, Forest, Trade, and Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, was formed in 1992, under the law. It has been issuing licences to distributors after scrutinizing the efficiency of chemical inputs to ensure that farmers get quality inputs, to conserve the environment, and prevent undue harm to humans.
Spurious and illegal pesticides often contain chemicals which are either banned or restricted due to the risk they pose to human health and the environment. As the contents of fake and illegal products are unknown, their use can pose a high-risk to farmers, the environment, and crops.
Soil, water, and strains are essential for good crops, and to get good crops it is a must to prevent other disturbances. Crops are damaged by insects and diseases, and soil and water can become degraded due to chemicals.
Widespread use of pesticides by local farmers did start around the 1990s in Myanmar, and our farmlands have suffered damage due to fake and illegal pesticides.
To save the farmlands and to protect the people from the risks posed by unregistered pesticides, punitive action must be taken against those who sell illegal pesticides.
GNLM
