Indiscriminate use of pesticides is causing harm to the environment and human health, and the use of organic pesticides must be increased to mitigate this damage, Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin ur Rashid said on Thursday.
The minister made the remarks as chief guest at the 90th (special) meeting of the Pesticide Technical Advisory Committee at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium in the capital’s Farmgate area.
“Chemical pesticides are harmful to the environment and human health. The use of any pesticide must be 100 percent science-based,” the minister said, adding that pesticide production, approval, marketing, and use must take into account the need to keep soil and aquatic ecosystems normal.
He stressed the need to focus on the production and use of organic pesticides and to increase the use of natural pest control methods.
Highlighting the government’s agricultural plans, the minister said, “If agriculture can be made export-oriented, it will be possible to permanently strengthen the country’s economy. The government’s aim is to make agriculture export-oriented on an industrial scale.”
He noted that for this to happen, Bangladesh must assure the world that its products are not harmful to health.
“The light, air, rain, and soil of this country are among the best in the world for producing the most delicious vegetables or food. But unfortunately, today we are unable to do that,” he said.
Discussing pesticide management, the minister said that while quality control of pesticides is being carried out, the current system must be made suitable for taking products to the international market.
“A clean environment is needed to protect the health of today’s children and future generations. It is necessary to review whether the way pesticides are being quality controlled before entering the market is correct for keeping soil heavy metal-free and for producing safe food,” he said.
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Chairman Md Abdus Salam presided over the meeting, with Agriculture Secretary Rafiqul I Mohammed present as guest of honour.
