Podcast
Questions and Answers
Mahendra Yadav's main crop is ______.
Mahendra Yadav's main crop is ______.
potatoes
The first pesticides were supposed to make farmers ______.
The first pesticides were supposed to make farmers ______.
rich
Farmers initially reacted to pest problems by increasing the dose of ______.
Farmers initially reacted to pest problems by increasing the dose of ______.
pesticide
The chemicals killed not only pests but also their natural ______.
The chemicals killed not only pests but also their natural ______.
Mahendra believes that the insects will ______ them alive.
Mahendra believes that the insects will ______ them alive.
The moths reproduced at a terrifying ______.
The moths reproduced at a terrifying ______.
Farmers have lost not just their harvest but also the creative potential of the ______.
Farmers have lost not just their harvest but also the creative potential of the ______.
Mahendra is returning to more ______ methods.
Mahendra is returning to more ______ methods.
Salesmen generated an ______ of pesticides during their promotion.
Salesmen generated an ______ of pesticides during their promotion.
The new moth had the crop all to ______.
The new moth had the crop all to ______.
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Study Notes
Pesticide Use and Consequences
- Mahendra Yadav, a farmer, faces a severe infestation of moths that threaten his potato crops.
- In the early 1990s, the government promoted the use of pesticides as a way to increase crop yields and profits.
- Farmers, motivated by promises of wealth, purchased an excess of pesticides, initially with enthusiasm.
Pesticide Application Problems
- Pesticides were applied indiscriminately and often incorrectly, exacerbating the issue.
- Salespeople aggressively marketed these chemicals, contributing to widespread usage among farmers.
- Over time, some moths survived pesticide applications and reproduced rapidly, leading to a resurgence.
Environmental Impact
- The use of pesticides disrupted the natural predator-prey balance, allowing the pest population to thrive unchecked.
- Attempts to combat the moths by increasing pesticide doses or switching to new chemicals led to the emergence of resistant strains.
- New pesticides provided temporary relief but ultimately failed to offer a sustainable solution.
Current Farmer Sentiment
- Farmers like Mahendra express despair over the loss of both crops and the land's productivity.
- Mahendra has shifted towards more sustainable agricultural practices, including letting land lie fallow and modifying irrigation techniques.
- There is hope that returning to natural methods may help reduce the moth population and restore balance.
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