Agriculture Minister of Kerala, V.S. Sunil Kumar said, “The State government will enact a law to make the use of banned pesticides a criminal offense. No permission is granted for the sale and use of pesticide Virat that led to the death of two laborers in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district.”
He further added, “The recommendation of the agricultural officer will also be made mandatory for buying pesticides under the Y category. Directions have been given to all agricultural Assistant Directors to do surprise checks in shops that sell pesticides.”
The Minister also said he had not yet received the expert report in connection with the death of two farm laborers and he will visit the place on January 24.
We have already issued a stop memo to the shop that sold the banned pesticide. Now only pesticides mentioned on the list of Kerala Agricultural University will be allowed to be sold in the State. The license of shops selling banned products will be canceled. Steps will also be taken to promote the use of drones for spraying pesticides in the State.
There will be the implementation of the pesticide-free farming policy in a phased manner by the State Government, said the Minister.
