Context:
Recently, The Union Minister unveiled the “Kisan Kavach,” India’s first anti-pesticide bodysuit designed to protect farmers from harmful pesticide exposure.
More On News:
- BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt. Ltd., developed it to prevent health issues like breathing disorders, vision loss, and even death caused by pesticides.
- The first batch of suits was distributed to farmers, with plans to make them more affordable as production increases.
- Includes trousers, pullover, and face cover made of ‘oxime fabric,’ which chemically breaks down pesticides on contact, preventing absorption into the skin.
- Suit Features:
- Washable and reusable.
- Priced at ₹4,000 and lasts up to a year.
- Effective under various conditions like UV exposure.
- Uses advanced fabric technology to deactivate pesticides on contact.
- Significance:
- Aims to safeguard farmers, who make up 65% of India’s population.
- Supports the government’s focus on using science and technology for agricultural empowerment.
Pesticide Usage and Production
- In 2022, China was the top exporter of agricultural pesticides, with exports worth about 11 billion U.S. dollars.
- India, the United States, and France followed, each exporting between 4 and 5 billion dollars.
- Pesticide Usage: In 2020, India used over 61,000 tonnes of pesticides, while Brazil, China, and Argentina used much more—377,000 tonnes, 273,000 tonnes, and 241,000 tonnes, respectively.
- Pesticide Production: India produces about four times more pesticides than it uses. In 2022-2023, the total production was 258,130 tonnes, double the amount produced in 1998 (102,240 tonnes).
- Pesticide Manufacturing: India manufactures 104 pesticides out of 293 registered pesticides.
- Pesticides used in India include:
- Insecticides: Acephate, chlorpyrifos, clothianidin, fenvalerate, imidacloprid, malathion, propiconazole, thiamethoxam, and tricyclazole
- Fungicides: Mancozeb, 2-4-D, and profenofos
- Other pesticides: Acetamiprid, biphenyl, carbendazim, chlorantraniliprole, chlorpropham, dimethoate, emamectin benzoate, fipronil, flonicamid, flubendiamide, and tebuconazole etc.