Safety and Stewardship in Pesticide Usage and Beyond

Safety in pesticide usage is different from safe handling of a machine, equipment or fire. Unlike in safety matches, safety pins, safety razor the safety factor is not built-in in case of pesticides. In developing countries, majority of persons handling the pesticides are illiterate farmers and farm labour. All pesticides are poisonous as they are meant to be toxic to target pests. It is the hazard that pesticides can cause to non- target organisms, including humans that concerns us very much. Safety is essential in using pesticides in crop protection to protect spray men, consumer, non-target organisms and the environment.

Stewardship involving proper management of pesticide usage prevents misuse or abuse of pesticides. It is not only the responsibility of regulatory authorities to implement stewardship but it is also the need of the hour to be followed by pesticide industry and all individuals concerned with plant protection to promote right pesticide at right time in a right manner. Stewardship if practised can reduce problems associated with misuse and abuse and prolongs the life of pesticides which have been brought to usage after investing huge resources and time. Safety beyond usage of pesticides like disposal of empty containers, handling leftover and date expired pesticides will prevent problems of much higher magnitude such as contamination of soil, water, air and environment, which can affect the very existence of life on earth.