Future market for pesticide remains bright<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Pesticide manufacturers remain optimistic about
\nthe future market for their products, despite the government's
\ndrive to implement an integrated pest management (IPM) program as
\nIndonesia's major crop-protection policy.<\/p>\n
"IPM is an environment-oriented system which is basically
\naimed at increasing the income of farmers. It is not synonymous
\nwith a ban on pesticides," said Mangara Sitanggang, the chairman
\nof the Association of Indonesian Pesticide Manufacturers.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a workshop of the Brussels-based Groupement
\nInternational des Association Nationales de Fabricants de
\nProduits Agrochemiques (GIFAP), Sitanggang said there was no
\ndirect correlation between IPM and the quantity of pesticides
\nused in farming.<\/p>\n
"In implementing IPM, the use of pesticides can be either
\nincreased or decreased, depending on the farmer's decisions and
\nneeds," he said.<\/p>\n
The IPM program, applied by the Ministry of Agriculture in
\nIndonesia since 1979, requires farmers to play a central role in
\nthe development and implementation of pest-control techniques and
\nallows the government to control the use of pesticides in
\nfarming.<\/p>\n
At the same time, however, the government has also encouraged
\nthe development of the pesticide industry to ensure a constant
\nsupply of major pesticides.<\/p>\n
Through training programs, farmers are expected to become
\nresponsible for cultivation activities and to be capable of
\novercoming pest problems in the safest and most effective and
\nefficient ways.<\/p>\n
According to Sudarwohadi Sastrosiswojo of the Ministry of
\nAgriculture, the IPM program is based on principles which include
\nthe growing of a healthy crop; the use and conservation of
\nnatural enemies; the conducting of routine field observations;
\nand the education of farmers as IPM experts.<\/p>\n
Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah, in a speech
\ndelivered by the director of the ministry's Agency for Mass
\nGuidance Supervision (Bimas), Syamsuddin Abbas, said that,
\ndespite the implementation of IPM, up to 50 percent of the
\nchemicals used on rice, vegetable and plantation crops are still
\nmade up of formulations restricted by government regulations.<\/p>\n
"This means we are still running high risks, despite our
\nconcerted efforts... Untrained and unprotected farmers are
\napplying excessive amounts of dangerous chemicals to their crops,
\nresulting in decreased profits, risks of outbreaks of crop
\ndisease, pest resistance and negative effects on human health and
\nthe environment," Sjarifudin said.<\/p>\n
He said that more efforts should be made to apply new
\ngenerations of safe, specific pesticides.<\/p>\n
"We regret that many producers are yet to abide by the
\nlabeling and packaging standards formally established," he said.<\/p>\n
Zainal Arifin of the Ministry of Industry said that,
\ncurrently, more than 500 pesticide products are registered in
\nIndonesia, with a total production of approximately 180,000 tons
\na year.<\/p>\n
According to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture
\nOrganization (FAO), the reduced use of pesticides under IPM has
\nboosted the country's rice yields.<\/p>\n
IPM has also helped to save up to US$120 million in government
\nsubsidies to farmers, while pesticide-induced outbreaks of crop
\ndisease, have ceased, says the FAO.<\/p>\n
"The production factors in farming are strictly soil, water
\nand fertilizers. Pesticides are not a production factor and
\nshould not be seen as an instrument for increasing rice yields,"
\nsaid Nugroho Wienarto, a management specialist with the FAO's IPM
\nprogram for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He called on pesticide manufacturers to be more responsible in
\nproducing their chemicals.<\/p>\n
"(Manufacturers) take the view that, if farmers get a rash or
\nare injured by pesticides, it is the government's responsibility.
\nThey don't care about the safety of their chemicals," he said.<\/p>\n
GIFAP Director General K.P. Vlahodimos, said that pesticide
\nmanufacturers grouped in the organization were in full support of
\nIPM.<\/p>\n
"We are signatories to the FAO's code of ethics on IPM and we
\nwill abide by those rules... But when you need to produce food,
\nyou need to have knowledgeable farmers who know how to make the
\nright decisions, including in the proper use of crop-protection
\nproducts," he said. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/future-market-for-pesticide-remains-bright-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}