craig harris
center for integrated crop management
michigan state university
> ----------
> From: Regi Thomas[SMTP:regi@hss.iitb.ernet.in]
> Sent: Sunday 21 December 1997 0:03 AM
> To: sanet-mg@shasta.ces.ncsu.edu
> Subject: Corporate misinformation? can anybody help with info on
> FURADAN?
>
>
> 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
> |
> |
> |
> | Ph : 91-22-5782545 ext 7359 or 7351/2 \
> |
> | : 91-22-5783644 / (Work)
> |
> | : 91-22-5781039 Room 22 (Res)
> |
> | Fax : 91-22-5783480 Attn REGI HSS Dept
> |
> | Telex : 011-72313 IITB IN --do--
> |
> | Email : regi@hss.iitb.ernet.in
> |
> *********************************************************************
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