Fruits: luscious, beckoning but beguiling
 

by Afreeha Jawad
 

Pesticide use is increasingly a hot topic. Its ill-effects have become all very controversial matter. However the wrong lies not so much in its use as in its misuse, according to agricultural scientist Dr. Nimal Dissanayake, currently Second-in-Command at the Batalagoda Rice Research and Training Institute.

Giving up all hope on continuing with traditional plant varieties he rendered plausible causes for doing so. In the early days, fallow land was a common sight. After each cultivation period the land was relieved of its burden of being put through the agony of tilling, ploughing, levelling and what not which period was not conducive for insects' growth.

Fallow land also helped land fertility. But then that period in history is never to be repeated as rising millions have to be fed. Invariably, low population levels were fallow-friendly. Given the changes in demographic patterns one could imagine how higher numbers compel incessant cultivation which makes such land vulnerable to pest breeding.

Today's farmers, unlike their predecessor, are more in agri business and show greater concern for financial rewards than public good. The misuse of fertiliser, apart from damaging consumer health, is also harmful to the applier. It reminded this writer of the numerous reports from agro regions over widespread respiratory diseases among the farming community. It's upto higher authorities to appeal to their good sense in morality over pecuniary gain.

The scientists at Batalagoda are not without concern over farmers resorting to agro chemical misuse. Their interaction with farmers through the islandwide extension officers justifies all efforts in this direction.

The paddy plant's biological characteristic warrants less fertilizer unlike fruit and vegetable. It is common knowledge that 14 days prior to harvesting all application of fertiliser must cease. But fruit and vegetables, said Dr. Dissanayake, are daubed with agro chemicals shortly before sale for that fresh look - a customer-luring gimmick. The need for this exercise on rice does not arise. He assured how rice was relatively pesticide-free.

Invariably, to those that question on whom the onus falls in training fruit and vegetable cultivators into the path of least resistance on chemical usage - the responsibility lies with the Horticulture Research and Development Institute at Gannoruwa. Like in rice, here again intensive and extensive fruit and vegetable cultivation to meet excessive demand makes traditional varieties not responsive and hence agro-chemical usage.

Dr. Dissanayake recommends small-sized and damaged fruit and vegetables and the not so succulent ones to be less contaminated.

The Bathalagoda agro scientists also have in mind certain pest control methods among which are agro-management and the adoption of biological methods.

Excessive urea application, though bringing in luscious growth, attracts pests and disease. Timely cultivation, balanced fertiliser application and appropriate plant density are also recommended. Through integrated pest management agro chemicals will be used only when needed. Of the 3,000 rice varieties conserved in cold storage at Bathalagoda, 800 are traditional varieties. Traditional rice varieties grow very tall, unlike the improved variety which height is now reduced. The 1957 first hybrid variety - H 4 was extremely popular among farmers. Improved varieties have the added advantage of being disease resistant as well.

In enhancing production and quality, the institute's chief Dr. Sumith Abeysiriwardena informed of their concern for the environment. All technology, for such purpose, he informed will be environment-friendly.

"Our vision is prosperity through excellence but not at any cost," he said.