Agriculture: Fixing our food — the case for biopesticides
Dawn
2024.08.12
Unfortunately, the agriculture and food authorities have neither established nor well-publicized these limits. Owing to a lack of awareness and proper guidance, the farming community — a majority of them illiterate or poorly literate — is unable to conform to the global standards on this issue.
They either overuse synthetic pesticides or apply them too close to harvest time, not leaving enough time for residue dissipation. This results in elevated levels of MRLs in their produce.
The situation at hand speaks volumes for the capacity of the value chain in checking MRLs. In turn, this affects the country’s ability to trade, particularly with developed nations, including the European Union and Japan. Many of Pakistan’s shipments, such as rice and red chilies have been rejected in the past because of the MRLs and aflatoxin issues.
Unfortunately, the agriculture and food authorities have neither established nor well-publicized these limits. Owing to a lack of awareness and proper guidance, the farming community — a majority of them illiterate or poorly literate — is unable to conform to the global standards on this issue.
They either overuse synthetic pesticides or apply them too close to harvest time, not leaving enough time for residue dissipation. This results in elevated levels of MRLs in their produce.
The situation at hand speaks volumes for the capacity of the value chain in checking MRLs. In turn, this affects the country’s ability to trade, particularly with developed nations, including the European Union and Japan. Many of Pakistan’s shipments, such as rice and red chilies have been rejected in the past because of the MRLs and aflatoxin issues.
Read more here.