An awareness seminar was conducted for farmers under the joint collaboration of the Enviro Equity Health Initiative (a voluntary organization) and Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, AP, India.
The seminar, titled “Use Pesticides Safely – Stay Healthy”, was organized for the farmers of Lam and Jonnalagadda villages. Participating in the event were Dr. NVVS Durga Prasad from ANGRAU, Sriya Jonnakuti, founder of the Enviro Equity Health Initiative, and agricultural scientists Sambasiva Rao and Diana. They shared important information and raised awareness among the farmers.
On this occasion, Dr. Durga Prasad stated that the use of pesticides has significantly increased in pursuit of higher yields. He pointed out that some countries follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and those that use higher quantities of pesticides take adequate precautions. However, in India, pesticides are often used without following any safety measures, which has led to serious consequences.
He expressed concern over the harmful effects of such practices and said he was glad that an awareness program was being held to alert farmers in such a critical time. He also mentioned that drone technology would soon be introduced in agriculture.
Sriya Jonnakuti, the founder of the organization, emphasized that the use of pesticides comes with many problems. She warned that without using protective gear, the risks are high. Lack of precautions can damage vital human organs, leading to diseases such as cancer, allergies, brain and nerve disorders, and can even harm unborn children during pregnancy. She expressed concern that if a pregnant woman is exposed due to her husband’s pesticide usage, it could affect the health of the baby from birth, impacting their overall development.
She advised that even while transporting pesticides, safety protocols must be followed. For example, used containers should be buried properly in the soil. Sriya assured that, in addition to awareness programs, their organization would continue supporting farmers’ health and well-being through periodic demonstration seminars and updated safety kit prototypes based on farmer feedbacks.
Agricultural scientists Sambasiva Rao and Diana stated that in the past, only 1 in 100 people had cancer, but now, almost every household is affected. They noted that farmers are increasingly suffering from prostate cancer and skin diseases. They recommended reducing pesticide usage to only necessary pesticides or at least following strict safety measures.
They also recalled how, in the past, pesticides like DDT and BHC were used for mosquito control during malaria prevention efforts, but now such chemicals are used on crops to control pests. They warned against exceeding prescribed limits and cautioned that this could lead to numerous future hazards. They urged farmers to seriously consider these concerns.
The program was also attended by Jonnalagadda’s former deputy Sarpanch, model farmer Vanga Naveen Reddy, and M. Suryanarayana, leader of the Lam Jana Sena Party, among others.
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