Despite ban, herbicide still sold illegally in Karimnagar; farmers source herbicide from neighbouring states

Despite a statewide ban, glyphosate continues to be sold illegally in Karimnagar, with farmers sourcing the herbicide from neighbouring states. High demand, weed control needs and weak enforcement have contributed to its continued use in cotton-growing regions.

Karimnagar: Despite the ban imposed on the usage of Glyphosate in the state, this herbicide is available in the erstwhile Karimnagar district. Some of the traders are selling it illegally.

There is a huge demand for this herbicide since it is widely used to remove weeds in BT-3 cotton fields besides the weed on farm bunds and open places.

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Though there is no problem with branded cotton seeds, weed grows in fields where unbranded and cheap seed is down.

Farmers have to spend about Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 to manually remove weeds in an acre of cotton field by engaging labourers. However, the problem will be solved if a liter of herbicide was sprayed at a cost of Rs 500.

Though it easily controls the weeds, it spreads rapidly and contaminates other cotton hybrids and causes threat to the biological resources.

It is reported as carcinogenic and affects human and animal health besides influencing soil health, biodiversity and ecology. So, the usage of herbicide was banned in the state.

Despite prohibition, it is being sold illegally in some pesticide shops. Anticipating shortage, some of the farmers are arranging it well in advance before the beginning of Vanakalam season.

Going a step ahead, some of the farmers from Manthani area are bringing glyphosate from the neighbouring state of Maharashtra.

The herbicide is smuggled on roads connecting Annaram barrage in Jayashankar-Bhupalpally to Parvathi barrage in Peddapalli district.

The farmers cultivating cotton in the forest areas of Peddapalli and Bhupalapally are reportedly using it.

Speaking to Telangana Today, a farmer leader from Gopalpur, Manda Rajamallaiah said that there would be weed problems in the fields where unbranded and cheap quality cotton seeds are sown.

So, such farmers were spraying weedicide to overcome the problem. Though the herbicide was banned in the state, it was available in some shops due to lack of supervision by officials.

Besides frequent surprise checking of shops, PD Act should be invoked against the fertilizer shops selling banned herbicide, he said and added that the farmers should be educated against the usage of herbicide.