Corporate misinformation? can anybody help with info on FURADAN?

Regi Thomas (regi@hss.iitb.ernet.in)
Sun, 21 Dec 1997 10:03:50 +0500 (GMT+0500)

Kuttanadu, the low-lying paddy fields in Kerala state (in the southern most
tip of India) used to be known as the rice bowl of Kerala. The paddy
farming is becoming un-economical, here as well as elsewhere in the
state. There were some attempts in the Kuttanadu region to introduce
integrated pest management, and the initiative was successful. The sale
of some pesticides came down almost by roughly 60%. (I don't have the
exact figures). This happened in a phase when the productivity and profit
from paddy cultivation was diminishing. There is widespread and
indiscriminate use of pesticides in this region.

When the IPM attempts are found to be successful, the agro-chemical
dealers/and manufactures are getting restless. I just happened to see a
press release of one of the pesticide companies in a vernacular
daily.. Excerpts from that follows..

"the allegation that there is excessive use of pesticides is
baseless; says the Senior scientists of Rallis co. (manufaturers
of the Furadan)".

"The use of furadan can improve the productivity in Kuttanadu
significantly. (in 8000 acres)"

"this is one of the most eco-friendly pesticide!!"

"Kerala agriculture University has recommended the use of Furadan
to check the attack of stem borer, gaul-fly...."

"The benefit of using furadan (granules) is like taking a vaccine
(for immunisation)" (justifying prophylatic use)

"The pest attack in Kutatnadu occured in 1972 could be handled
only with the help of FURADAN

This pesticide invented and patended in 1965, is succesfully
used in 37 countries on 62 crops.

The Kerala Agriculture Univ., Central Rice Research institute
in Hyderabad and IRRI manila has recommended the use of FURADAN.

This is one of the safest pesticides to handle. (much safer than
the salt used by housewifes in the kitchen!!- as far as the skin
irritation is concerned)"

"The granuels of furadan does not leave any residues in soil. -
This is substantiated / proved by the research conducted by
by Kerala Agri. Univ.

The furadan(poison) content absorbed by the plants get disintegrated
and nuetralised within plants, slowly. (Typically they were
trying to say that no residues of poison can be traced in the
coconut pulp or in tender coconot water: - quoting a study done
by CPCRI, Kerala)...."


Is the above information true? Is there anybody who happen to know
something about FURADAN and its effects/ side effects? This a granular
pesticide extensively used in India, promoted through campaigns like the
above.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
| o REGI THOMAS |
| _`\<,_ Senior Research Fellow |
| (_)/ (_) HSS Department, Indian Institute of Tech. Bombay |
| Powai, Mumbai. 4000 076 |
| India |
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| Ph : 91-22-5782545 ext 7359 or 7351/2 \ |
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| Email : regi@hss.iitb.ernet.in |
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