Adulterated agro-chemicals threaten crops, farmers

Government laboratory tests have uncovered alarming levels of adulteration and severe deficiencies in active ingredients in agro-chemicals marketed by several well-known companies, raising serious concerns over crop yields, farmers’ incomes, soil health and the environment.

The findings came after the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) collected samples of plant growth regulators (PGRs), pesticides and other agricultural inputs from different parts of the country and sent them for laboratory testing.

The tests found that several products contained only a fraction of the active ingredients required under their approved specifications, rendering some of them grossly substandard.

According to the test results, ACI Limited’s PGR product ‘4-CPA’, marketed as ‘Bumper Falan’, was supposed to contain 1,250 ppm of the active ingredient but contained only 200 ppm. The DAE laboratory identified the product as adulterated.

An even more serious discrepancy was found in Mimpex Agrochemicals Limited’s humic acid. Against the required 12.50 per cent active ingredient, laboratory testing found only 0.04 per cent.

Similarly, Advanced Chemicals Industries Limited’s Naphthalic Acetic Acid contained only 0.11 per cent against the required 98 per cent. Fasal Agro Industries Limited’s 4-CPA contained 200 ppm instead of 1,250 ppm, while ICI Agrocare’s humic acid contained 14.81 per cent against the required 72 per cent. Chemist Crop Care Limited’s 4-CPA contained 450 ppm instead of 1,250 ppm.

Several other companies were also found to have significantly lower active ingredients. Tens Agro Limited’s 4-CPA contained 650 ppm against 1,250 ppm, while the same product of Ispahani Agro Limited reportedly contained 650 ppm. Humic acid produced by Marshal Agrovets Chemical Industries contained only 3.44 per cent. 

Globus Agrovets Limited’s humic acid contained 7.60 per cent against the required 16 per cent, while SA-M Agro Chemical’s product contained 32.45 per cent against 72 per cent. The tests also found 750 ppm instead of 1,250 ppm in the 4-CPA products of East-West Chemical and Golden Crop Care.

DAE Director (Field Services) Obaidur Rahman said samples of pesticides and other agricultural inputs are regularly collected from across the country and tested at DAE laboratories, Science Laboratory and Dhaka University laboratories.

“Recently, we collected samples of several agro-chemical products and conducted laboratory tests. A number of products were found adulterated and substandard. We will take necessary action,” he said. When contacted, Bangladesh Crop Protection Association President Syeduzzaman and General Secretary Mehedi Hasan did not respond to repeated calls. An ACI official also declined to comment.

Bangladesh Agrochemical Manufacturers Association President KSM Mostafizur Rahman said adulterated agro-chemicals could seriously reduce agricultural productivity and cause financial losses to farmers.

He also raised concerns about inadequate laboratory capacity, saying thousands of chemicals require testing while the relevant facilities have only two machines, one of which is reportedly out of order.

Agricultural economist and former Director General of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Jahangir Alam said farmers often purchase products based on attractive advertisements and packaging of reputed companies. “If pesticides or PGRs are substandard, farmers lose not only their hard-earned money but also an entire season’s crop,” he said, calling for strict action against companies found involved in adulteration.

Meanwhile, questions have also been raised over the import of pesticides from unregistered sources. A public-interest writ filed with the High Court last year prompted the court to issue a rule seeking an investigation into how and by whom such pesticides were being imported and marketed.

Experts warn that the continued sale of adulterated agro-chemicals could ultimately affect food safety, soil health, the environment and the country’s agricultural productivity.