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LAHORE: The proposed ban on 12 key agricultural chemicals (AIS) of the federal government has raised concerns in the agricultural sector.
According to a leading industry representative, discussed during the 62nd meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (APTAC) of Agricultural Prices, the decision was taken without reaching a consensus between stakeholders or following the legal procedure.
According to a senior member of Croup Flief Pakistan, industry experts are concerned that the ban will damage the production of crops, increase the cost of farmers and discourage future investment in the agriculture sector.
Pakistan’s pesticides are clearly conditioned that active ingredients should be banned only if they come under the World Health Organization (WHO) highly dangerous pesticides (HHP) categories 1A and 1B or in the Rotterdam Convention supplement III. However, the proposed ban appears on a non -scientific basis, without considering the remnants of employment by other countries. The problem is not self -pesticide, but rather a request for misuse or off -label. Therefore, the right use and handling methods should be focused to ensure these challenges effectively.
It is very important to deal with pesticides in rice exports, but banning blankets is a rush decision that fails to deal with the main reason. Comparing this, by banning life -saving medicines due to misuse, an industry representative emphasized that responsible application and implementation should be emphasized rather than eliminating.
He warned that the ban would have serious consequences. Farmers will suffer because these AIS is essential to controlling pests in rice, wheat, cotton, fruits and vegetables and their removal will lead to less yields, high cost and food security risk. The limited availability of alternatives means that suddenly shift can accelerate resistance to insects, making it even more difficult to control the future pests.
A blanket restriction can make a difference of supply demand, which causes shortage, which disrupts agricultural production and can negatively affect rural livelihoods. The industry is concerned that the decision could also remove foreign investment, as multinational companies have already invested millions in the sector, and uncertainty of such a policy could damage investors’ confidence in Pakistan’s regulatory framework. In addition, reducing crop protection would directly risk both domestic food security and international exports.
Industry experts say that the main problem is not self -stricken drug, but their inappropriate use and storage. Misunderstandings in grain storage facilities cause about 50 % of the issues of remnants, which can be solved through better training for sheller workers. Another major challenge is pest attacks at the end of the season, which currently have limited control options. The industry has called on the Prime Minister and the Ministry of National Food Security to re -consider the ban and instead cooperate on a science -based approach. Experts suggest that the government should focus on educating farmers about the proper use of pesticides, implementing the monitoring and implementing measures, providing premium incentives for rice compliance, and promoting cluster farming and stability measures.
He added that banning these AIS would not solve the problem, but instead Pakistan could be deprived of important crop protection tools. This industry is determined to work with the government to develop a science -based strategy that protects exports and ensures local food safety. In Pakistan, it is important to work wisely to protect the future of agriculture.
