Tobacco Board in association with M/s ITC-ABD ILimited, Mysore have jointly undertaken a massive campaign appealing to farmers against indiscriminate usage of pesticides on tobacco crop quality due to pesticide residues.
According to a press release here, the aim of this campaign was to educate the farmers on the various types of Non-Tobacco Related Matter (NTRM) including plastic noticed in the product, sources of NTRM, critical control points identified in leaf value chain and measures to be undertaken to keep away the NTRM. Thrust is also given to educate the farmers on the adverse effect of indiscriminate use of pesticide.
The campaign was launched recently and will continue till all the clusters in Mysore and Hassan districts are covered in entire tobacco belt. Till today, as many as 5,500 farmers have attended this awareness campaign from more than 80 villages spread over entire belt. It is expected that such a programme will help in improving the overall hygiene of the product and sustain the existing export demand.Nearly, 80 per cent of cigarette tobacco valued at ` 1,275 crore, produced from these two districts are exported annually mainly because of its neutral filler quality. However, of late, manufacturers and export customers are showing more concern about the hygiene of the produce.
They are encountering two major constraints-presence of plastic in the product and pesticide residues. There is a fear that export demand may suffer, if these twin issues are not addressed on a war footing which can impact the only means of livelihood of over 2 lakh farm families dependent on tobacco cultivation. During the programme, the farmers are informed about the possible means of NTRM entering tobacco value chain such as various plastic pieces, paper bits, sand, stone, feathers, jute. Particularly at post harvest product management series such as leaf tying, curing, bulking and storing, grading and baling.
They were advised to maintain hygiene and cleanliness during these activities. Plastic being the main component of NTRM, farmers were advised to ban the use of any kind of plastic and to use only good quality tarpaulins at various stages of post harvest product management.Equally important subject covered during the programme is regarding possible pesticide residues in tobacco exceeding Guidance Residue Level (GRL) due to indiscriminate use of both recommended and non-recommended pesticides without giving importance to right chemical at right dosage at right time with right method of application. The existing faulty practices and the recommended correct practices are highlighted by stressing on do’s and don’ts to convince the farmers about the importance of NTRM elimination.
Source: The Hindu 4-8-2010
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