FARMERS in Myanmar use various pesticides and germicides to protect crops from pests. Relevant departments train them to use these chemicals carefully and systematically. By following proper guidelines, farmers can ensure their crops remain safe for public consumption.
Undisciplined use of pesticides can harm consumer health. Farmers operating water-based crop plantations often assume that pesticides will dilute or disappear over time due to the aquatic environment, leading them to neglect strict adherence to usage guidelines. However, this assumption is incorrect, as pesticide residues can persist and pose significant health risks to consumers.
In Myanmar, some cases of food poisoning are linked to residues of agricultural pesticides. Officials from the relevant departments conduct training courses for farmers on the proper use of chemicals and pesticides to combat pests, as well as on processing agricultural products for export. As a result of these training courses, farmers gain knowledge on checking for chemical and pesticide residues in food and agricultural produce.
In addition to providing knowledge to farmers, these relevant departments are responsible for supervising farmers to ensure the use of high-quality pesticides in compliance with regulations. They also aim to prevent the use of low-quality or counterfeit pesticides and mitigate environmental impacts. However, most farmers and agricultural producers fail to systematically follow proper guidelines for using pesticides and chemicals in their work processes.
Consequently, some agricultural produce exported by Myanmar businesspersons has been found to contain fungus and pesticide residues, which negatively affect export quality, reduce commodity prices, and even lead to export suspensions. Additionally, some growers apply pesticides to crops in excessive amounts, while certain businesspersons inject chemical solutions into fruits and crops to enhance sweetness beyond acceptable standards. Furthermore, some vendors immerse vegetables in water mixed with pesticides or chemicals to keep them looking fresher and more appealing to customers.
As Myanmar is an agro-based country, farmers and food processors often rely on pesticides. However, they must use these chemicals according to the guidelines provided by technicians and experts. At the same time, officials should focus on raising awareness among farmers about the safe and systematic use of pesticides and chemical solutions for pest control. Failure to adhere to these guidelines should result in appropriate action against offenders to protect consumer health. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that victims receive fair compensation and that pesticide users are held accountable for any harm caused to consumers due to negligence or improper usage.
