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Lack of a pesticide policy in Bangladesh prompts incessant use of chemical pesticides, offering a challenge to achieve the country's ambitious goal of earning $5.0 billion in agricultural exports by 2030.
Rampant misuse of pesticides and inadequate farmers' training worsened the situation, experts and industry stakeholders expressed the concern at a focus group discussion (FGD) in the city on Tuesday.
The FGD on Stewardship for Sustainable Agriculture was organised by Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), a local think-tank, with its Executive Director Prof Ferdaus Ara Begum in the chair.
Taking part in the discussion, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the mismanagement of food has historically led to disasters, such as the 1973-74 famine, causing 1.0 million deaths. "We must ensure that this is not repeated. A clear roadmap and agricultural stewardship are essential."
He said that countries with food surplus will remain in strategic advantage in the coming years amid a trade war and stressed the need for self-sufficiency in key food items.
"If a Dutch farmer can generate $20-25 million worth of exports, why can't our 16.5 million farmers? Awareness-building and proper training are keys to unlocking this potential," he added.
Prof Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed of Sher-e-Bangla University presented the keynote, highlighting that despite the enactment of the Pesticide Act in 2018, the country is yet to formulate a concrete pesticide policy, leaving farmers and exporters struggling to meet international safety standards.
He said Bangladesh currently uses around 40,000 tonnes of pesticides annually, with over 7,500 products available in the market. The misuse and overuse of pesticides remain widespread.
Despite holding more than 50 meetings since the Pesticide Act was passed in 2018, he said the government is yet to adopt a comprehensive pesticide policy.
Ferdaus Ara Begum says Bangladesh's agricultural exports currently share only US$ 1.0 billion or 2.87 per cent of the total exports. The country has a target to make it $ 5.0 billion by 2030 and to fetch it, addressing pesticide-related issues is critical.
Prof Noman also said the misuse of pesticides has severe environmental consequences, including soil degradation, water contamination, and harm to aquatic ecosystems. For instance, herbicides have caused a decline in fish population in haor regions.
The decline of honeybee populations due to pesticide use threatens pollination, which is essential for 87 per cent of crops.
If honeybees become extinct, agricultural productivity could plummet, further jeopardising food security and export potential.
He said out of 16.5 million farmers in Bangladesh, only a small fraction are aware of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Director of the country's leading pesticide company Syngenta Mohammed Shahidul Islam said private companies like Syngenta reach 4.5 million farmers in a year, but more coordinated efforts are needed to ensure judicious and responsible use of pesticides.
Ferdaus Ara Begum further says the policy should include provisions for farmer training, safety standards, and environmental protection.
Establishing accredited laboratories to test pesticide residues and ensure compliance with international standards is critical, she added.
Special correspondent at the state-run news agency BSS SM Rashidul Islam moderated the FGD and secretary of Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum Shahanuare Shaid Shahin took part in the discussion.