Towards a healthier harvest: Time to regulate pesticide practices

Every day, farmers across Bangladesh seek advice from agricultural extension workers on which chemical pesticides to use to protect their crops from pests and diseases. Ironically, when asked about the current condition of their fields, most farmers report that their crops are healthy and thriving. 

Yet, when questioned further about the need for pesticide application, the common response is: "Just in case!" This preventive and often unnecessary use of pesticides has become deeply ingrained in farming practices over the past four decades. 

As a result, concerns about food safety have intensified. However, the conversation rarely extends to the health risks faced by farmers and agricultural workers who handle these chemicals daily. This raises an important question: How effectively are the government and civil society protecting the health of those who feed the nation?

Recent research by Bangladesh Medical University, presented on Safe Food Day 2025, has revealed alarming statistics. One-third of the country's cancer patients are farmers or agricultural labourers. More disturbingly, cancer cases are rising rapidly. 

In 2020, there were over 1.5 lakh cancer patients, with more than one lakh deaths. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of cancer patients in Bangladesh has now surpassed 1.5 million. 

However, these figures are based on registered cases, and the actual number is likely higher, since many small-scale farmers avoid seeking medical care until their conditions become severe.

The study further found that most pesticide-related cancer cases affect the larynx, stomach, lungs, lips, oral cavity, and oesophagus. While multiple factors contribute to cancer, there is growing evidence linking excessive pesticide use since the Green Revolution to these diseases. 

Abusive application methods, improper handling, and the lack of safe disposal methods for pesticides are key concerns.

Pesticides are poisons, and every year, around 4 million tonnes of these poisons are applied by farmers and farm workers almost daily in some form across Bangladesh. The handling, storage, and disposal of pesticides are highly unregulated in the country. Available in powder or liquid form, pesticides are typically purchased from local markets and stored unsafely in farmers' homes. 

When applying them, farmers rarely use protective gear such as gloves, masks, or goggles. Many inhale toxic particles while mixing powdered pesticides, and skin contact with these chemicals is common. Mixing often takes place near tube wells or other water sources, increasing contamination risks. 

Additionally, contaminated tools, clothing, and leftover pesticide residues pose further hazards to both farmers and their families.

The most dangerous exposure occurs during field application, as most farmers do not wear protective clothing. Inhalation and skin absorption lead to long-term health complications. After spraying, empty pesticide bottles and packets are frequently discarded carelessly, polluting the environment and posing risks to communities. Farmers often neglect to wash their clothes or clean themselves properly after handling pesticides, increasing the likelihood of ingestion and prolonged exposure.

For over five decades, farmers have been encouraged to use pesticides to boost agricultural production. Multinational and domestic pesticide companies introduce new chemicals every year, employing aggressive marketing strategies to increase sales. 

Agricultural extension workers, local dealers, and vendors often receive incentives, ranging from commissions to foreign trips, to promote pesticide use. This has created a culture where chemical solutions are prioritised over safer alternatives.

Despite existing laws such as the Pesticide Ordinance of 1985 and the Pesticide Act of 2018, which regulate pesticide sales and distribution, there is little emphasis on protecting farmers from exposure. The laws focus more on the business aspects of pesticides than on ensuring safe application practices among end-users.

In addition to enforcing laws, it is crucial to implement effective remedial measures to address the current situation. Although agricultural officers provide farmers with guidance on pesticide usage through various training programmes, the actual impact of these efforts remains minimal. 

Farmers continue to apply pesticides without using personal protective equipment (PPE), handle these chemicals without gloves, store them in unsafe locations, and dispose of empty bottles or packaging indiscriminately. 

This has become a routine practice, which is highly undesirable. To bring about real change, social and behavioural aspects must also be addressed. Influential social institutions such as families, educational institutions, and religious organisations can play a significant role in this regard.

Research suggests that both personal behaviour and social influences contribute to farmers' reluctance to use PPE, and each factor exacerbates the other. Family members can help create an environment that encourages the safe use of pesticides. 

Due to Bangladesh's socio-economic and cultural structure, decisions regarding pesticide application are mostly made by men, who also tend to use them unsafely. The reluctance to use PPE has become a long-standing habit for many farmers. 

However, their family members—particularly wives and children—can raise awareness of the health risks, encouraging safer practices. If a wife understands that her husband's unsafe pesticide use puts their family at risk, potentially leading to widowhood or disability, she may insist that he adopt safer application methods. Similarly, if a mother is a farmer, she can take responsibility for changing her son's hazardous practices, while children can also make their fathers more aware.

If this issue is widely publicised socially, it will be possible to curb the tendency of farmers and agricultural workers to use pesticides indiscriminately. Educational institutions can also contribute by teaching students about the safe use of pesticides, enabling them to influence their family members' habits. Religious institutions can raise awareness within their respective communities. 

Moreover, government and non-government organisations involved in agricultural development should not only discuss awareness during training sessions but also provide PPE to farmers, either individually or in clusters. Additionally, field-level monitoring should be conducted to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.

The misuse of pesticides in Bangladesh has placed a significant portion of the population at risk. Proper enforcement of existing laws could largely resolve this problem. For instance, regular health check-ups for pesticide sellers and workers should be mandated, with a requirement for every shop and warehouse to display a signboard stating: "Employees' Health Check-up Records Are Up-to-Date." 

The Ministry of Health should also ensure that hospitals have facilities for cholinesterase testing, so that no one can bypass this requirement.

The Bangladesh pesticide market, worth around Tk19.1 billion, is heavily reliant on synthetic chemicals, with usage rising each year. Unfortunately, corporate social responsibility (CSR) in this sector remains largely ignored. 

Companies rarely address critical concerns such as consumer health, environmental safety, or proper pesticide disposal. There is an urgent need for agrochemical firms to adopt ethical practices, promoting safer alternatives, user training, and eco-friendly waste management. 

A national pesticide disposal system should be developed and led by the Bangladesh Crop Protection Association, with active participation from pesticide companies. As contributors to environmental pollution, these companies must take responsibility, both by implementing disposal solutions and by supporting those affected by pesticide-related health issues. CSR must become central to their sustainability and accountability efforts.

Safe crops are a national priority, but they cannot truly be safe if the production process remains hazardous. Recently, there has been a strong focus on the Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), which offers scientific guidelines for pesticide application. 

However, applying PHI is often impractical for many fruits, vegetables, and spice crops. To ensure both food and human safety, a clear and practical field-level pesticide application guideline is essential.

The unregulated use of pesticides has led to a sharp rise in cases of cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Long-term exposure has been linked to Parkinson's disease, asthma, depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), leukaemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, with proper awareness and training, the habit of using personal protective equipment while applying pesticides can significantly reduce health risks for farmers.

Now is the time to seek alternatives to synthetic pesticides and promote safe and sustainable agricultural practices. If farmers receive proper training, organic and integrated pest management practices are encouraged, and personal safety measures are ensured, agricultural production can become both safe and healthy.

Every year, agricultural workers in Bangladesh are exposed to significant amounts of poisonous pesticides. The excessive and unregulated use of these chemicals poses a severe threat to public health. If farmers are affected, the nation's food security will also be at risk, potentially disrupting social and political stability.

To prevent this disaster, it is essential to raise awareness through both legal measures and social and behavioural change. Political parties must also actively support these initiatives, making this issue one of the most pressing demands of our time.

Dr M Nazim Uddin is a Researcher at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). e-mail: nazim.68@gamil.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard