INDIA
From: "Padma Rajagopal" <poumai@eth.net>
To: <etoxic@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "Toxics Link Delhi" <tldelhi@del2.vsnl.net.in>; "Toxics Link Delhi"
<tldelhi@vsnl.com>; "Terry" <terry@vsnl.com>; <steve@getipm.com>;
"Shree Padre" <shreepadre@sancharnet.in>; <sharatchandra@usa.net>; "Priya Shah"
<priyaflorence@hotmail.com>; <nity68@vsnl.com>;
<michelle.chawla@dialb.greenpeace.org>; "Lucas Dengel" <lucasdengel@yahoo.com>; "Linda Jensen-Pascarella" <lindap49@hotmail.com>;
<kazu@cseindia.org>; "idead" <idead@usa.net>; "Dr.
Sreevalsan" <valsan@vsnl.com>; "anil gupta" <anilg@iimahd.ernet.in>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2001 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: [etoxic] Tough Action Needed vs Pesticide Use, Exports
Hi Almitra Patel, Ravi Agarwal and others, the most
comprehensive compilation of safe alternatives to chemical pesticides that
I've come across so far is an e-book (CD rom) called "The Best
Control" written by Steve Tvedten, an American who's been working on this
subject for many years. The Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems(CIKS), Chennai,
also has a good series of booklets - "Plants in Pest Control", on
herbal alternatives.
As an organic farmer for over 13 years, I can say
definitely that the non-use of chemicals,
lots of organic matter going into the soil and an avoidance of mono-cultural
practices generally makes serious pest problems go away. Like any other
organism, healthy, pest and disease resistant plants thrive in a healthy
environment. Alternatives exist to our poisoning the earth and ourselves like
idiots. Obviously, they will not be promoted by the people who now make vast
sums of money by manufacturing, marketing, or getting kickbacks for signing
large purchase orders for agro-chemicals.
A neem and/or custard-apple tree in your environs can
help you solve most of the insect pest problems you come across, for only the
cost of the time you spend preparing these safe pesticides. For those who have
the option, I'd suggest - eat organic. You are not only saving yourself from
pesticides, you're also supporting and rewarding organic farmers with your
custom, and by creating a larger demand for organic food, you'll be
encouraging more local farmers to consider going organic. Try asking at your
local supermarket whether they can supply you with organically grown produce.
If enough people ask, they will.
Also, city dwellers could try to segregate their garbage
(biodegradable and non-biodegradable) and organize with other urbanites to
send the segregated organic garbage for composting to the countryside. Any
organic farmer who has a vehicle would be glad to come and pick it up
occasionally, if it's been segregated first. If everybody did that, farmers
would not need to use chemical fertilizers, or the excess irrigation water or
chemical pesticides that chemically fertilized plants need. It will also make
garbage management a feasible task for city corporations. Everything's
interconnected in the circle of life, but modern humans need to recognize the
fact.
Padma Rajagopal.
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