Research report:
A sharp 81.5% increase in pesticide use over the past five years, driven by crop diseases linked to climate change, is raising alarm in Bangladesh. Pesticides are now widely used in rice, vegetables, fruits, and even fish farming, according to a research report presented at the “Journalist Orientation Workshop on Pesticide Risk Reduction” held at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Dhaka. The workshop was organized by the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).
Alarming Rise in Pesticide Use
CABI’s research revealed that pesticide use has surged nearly tenfold since Bangladesh’s independence in 1972. From just 4,000 tons in 1972, usage climbed to 39,243 tons in 2022 and remained high at 39,157 tons in 2023. The country now has 8,113 registered pesticides, with 363 actively used in the market, supported by 754 registered companies. The pesticide market is worth approximately 5,000 crore taka.
Health and Environmental Concerns
The workshop highlighted serious health risks tied to pesticide overuse. Former Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Abdul Mueed, noted, “64% of cancer patients in Bangladesh are farmers, often affected due to direct exposure while spraying pesticides.” Dr. Dilruba Sharmin, CABI Project Coordinator, added that pesticides are increasingly used in fish farming, particularly in dry regions, contributing to a rise in cancer cases across households.
Call for Safer Practices
Chaiful Alam, Director General of DAE, emphasized the need for safer food production, stating, “While food production has increased, safe and nutritious food production lags behind. We aim to achieve this by 2050.” CABI Asia Development Communication Manager Azmat Abbas stressed the importance of awareness, saying, “Farmers must understand that pesticides aren’t always the answer. Alternatives like organic pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) should be adopted, alongside stronger market regulations to reduce health risks.”
Abbas also pointed out that farmers often overuse pesticides for quick profits, while commercial competition among companies fuels this trend. Dr. Saleh Ahmed from CABI Bangladesh added that research and efforts are ongoing to limit pesticide use.
Urgent Need for Action
Panelists at the workshop warned that without immediate action, pesticide overuse could lead to a dramatic rise in cancer and other life-threatening diseases. They called for collaboration among farmers, consumers, the government, and companies to promote safer, sustainable farming practices.
The workshop underscored the urgent need to balance agricultural productivity with health and environmental safety, urging Bangladesh to adopt alternative pest control methods to protect its people and ecosystems.
