60pc cancer patients involved in agriculture: Adviser Farida

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Monday said some 60 per cent of cancer patients in the country are farmers, attributing their high risk of the disease to prolonged exposure to pesticides.

"Some 60 per cent of cancer patients are directly involved in agriculture. The reason for this is that women are mixing pesticides and farmers are spraying these (on crops)," she said while addressing a dialogue in the capital.

Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Workers Federation organised the national dialogue on "Inclusive Labour Laws with International Standard and Legal Recognition of Workers in Agriculture and Informal Economic Sectors" at CIRDAP Auditorium.    —UNB