• Doctored vegetables have health hazards
• Fertilizers, chemical in food
• Copper, lead, mercury etc among other metals
• ‘Organic farming the only solution’
EMN
Dimapur, August 10
The Kisan cell of the Nagaland state Bharatiya Janata Party has cautioned citizens against the hazards consumption of doctored vegetables –also called non-organic vegetables–pose to health. There is a need to encourage an agricultural sector that builds on “organic farming” instead on depending on crops that are cultivated using fertilizers and pesticides and such other enhancements, the BJP stated on Monday.
The farmer’s wing of the political party issued a piece on Monday outlining the hazards of non-organic produce and advocating ‘organic’ agricultural produce to not only further the agricultural sector in Nagaland but also ensure the health of citizens.
“The need for organic farming is increasing in Nagaland for day to day consumption of agriculture crops due to the harmful effects of inorganic farming in which fertilizers and pesticides are used to enhance production,” the BJP stated in its discourse.
“The chemicals and nutrients found in fertilizers, while beneficial for agricultural crops, can be harmful to fish, birds and other wildlife. Pesticides, designed to kill pests chemically, are also dangerous when leached into soil or groundwater supplies,” the note stated.
“Heavy amounts of fertilizer chemicals like potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus in natural water systems can actually cause ‘dead zones’ where wildlife cannot survive because of lower oxygen levels and chemical poisoning. Beneficial insects and organisms like honeybees and soil microbes can be killed alongside the pests, eliminating some of the ecosystem beneficial to crop health and sustainability”. The BJP unit stated that pesticides and fertilizers can cause significant harm to public health and the environment. “Most pesticides contain potentially toxic chemicals that can cause negative health effects such as cancer and neurological and reproductive disorders. In addition, pesticides can migrate into lakes and streams when it rains. When fertilizers enter a body of water, they can cause oxygen levels to drop, killing aquatic life and posing risks to other species”.
The note explained that various vegetables samples were collected from various sites in Vellore district recently. The vegetables taken for the analysis were cabbage (Brassicaoleracea), onion (Allium cepa), carrot (Daucuscarota), spinach (Spinaciaoleraceae), beans (Phaseoluscoccineus), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea), brinjal (Solanummelongena), potato (Solanumtuberosum), and tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum).
These vegetables were thoroughly examined and hence authenticated by the Institute of Herbal Science, Plant Anatomy Research Centre in Chennai, the BJP unit stated.
“Even the soil samples were also taken for the reference of Transfer Factor (TF) i.e., transfer of metal concentration from soil to vegetables/ plant parts. It was found that various vegetables contain excessive amount of heavy and toxic metals concentration much higher than safe intake proposed by NAFDAC and WHO,” the unit stated.
The toxic metal concentrations of various vegetables were taken for the analysis. The metals namely copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium, lead and mercury were determined, the farmer’s unit said.
Effects of toxic and heavy metals:
Copper: copper is one of the important nutrient required by the human body. But exceeding the safe limit given by NAFDAC and WHO may lead to gastrointestinal problem. Even it may cause dysfunction of metabolism of other nutrients. The safe limit proposed by NAFDAC and WHO is 2.5 mg/kg I vegetables.
Chromium: Chromium may affect the respiratory tract, stomach and small intestine if the concentration of Cr exceeds the safe limit of 5.0 mg/kg. Even it may affect the male reproductive system.
Nickel: An uptake of too large quantities of nickel has the following consequences: - Higher chancesof development of lung cancer, nose cancer, larynx cancer and prostate cancer. Asthma and chronic pain.
Cadmium: Kidney is the main target as far as the toxicity of cadmium is concerned. Accumulation of cadmium may lead to renal tubular dysfunction. It may cause lung cancer as it is highly carcinogenic in nature. The safe limit of Cd is 0.05mg /kg 7.
Lead: Lead is one of the prominent metal that is carcinogenic in nature. The accumulation of lead inhuman body may cause cancer as it will damage the mitochondria of the cell. As far as the safe limit is concerned it is about 1.0mg/kg in vegetables.
Mercury: Mercury is the most toxic element found in the atmosphere. Long duration of exposure may lead to cancer and neurological disorders. It may lead to paralysis also if it exceeds the safe limit of1.0 mg/kg.
What the USDA says about ‘inorganic’ produce
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) study team, “Organic Farming” is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc.) and to maximum extent feasible rely upon crops rotation, residues, animals manures, off – farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system, nutrient mobilization and plant protection.”
Nagaland being traditionally agriculture economy with shifting or Jhum cultivation in practice, the use of inorganic items was not known. The Naga traditional farming practice in which humus was the fertility factor was more or less organic in nature.
‘It is to encourage and promote organic farming system in the state of Nagaland as a source of income or livelihood and health wellbeing. Sikkim and Mizoram are leading the country in organic farming and attempting to become fully organic in the next few years,’ the BJP unit said.
“Meghalaya has been weaning out chemical fertilizers and pesticides and providing free bio – pesticides and bio agents to the farmers. Nagas can combine traditional techniques with the modern one for manufacturing of humus and simultaneously practice organic farming system being promoted by the government for maximum healthy agriculture production,” the press release added.
Citizens’ Factfile: Difference between Organic and Non-organic foods
The word “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products. Organic farming practices encourage soil and water conservation, and reduce pollution. Farmers growing organic produce do not use conventional methods to fertilize or control weeds and insects.
