The presentation describes the role and relevance of endosulfan in agriculture. It is the only insecticide which is soft on Pollinators such as honeybees and beneficial such as ladybird beetle. It is widely recommended for use during pollination and in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Farmers in Andhra Pradesh are the largest users of Endosulfan in the country and will stand to lose the most if there is a move to ban the use of Endosulfan in the country…http://www.whybanendosulfan.org

2. Broad Acre
Large land holdings typically 2000 to 10,000 hectares. USA, Brazil, Argentina, South
Africa, Australia is largely broad acre. Aerial spraying of pesticides is widely prevalent.
Agriculture is intensive and yields high
Small Acre
Small land holdings typically 1 to 10 hectares. Agriculture in India, China, Pakistan,
large parts of Africa and Asia is small acre. Use and application of pesticides are manual
with backpack sprayers and minimal mechanisation. Agriculture is sustainable with
varying yields.

3. Insecticides
Weedicides (Herbicides)
Fungicides
Plant Growth Regulators

4. Crop Protection Chemicals are the last input in the
agriculture chain
Farmers spend on Tillage, Irrigation, Fertilizers, Farm
labour etc. at last Agro chemicals
If not used, entire loss
Crop Protection Chemicals protect all investments
farmers make in their crops

5. Widely used by the farmer to protect crops from
insect attacks and infestations
contact or systemic
broad spectrum or selective
soft on beneficial, pollinators and predators

6. SHARE OF LOSSES CAUSED BY DIFFERENT PESTS
Rodents &
Weeds 15%
Others
33%
Diseases
26%
Insects 26%
On an average 18% of the crop yield is lost due to pests
(Annual monetary loss: Rs.60,000 Crores
Source:Working Subgroup on Plant Protection, Planning Commission, 2001)
NCIPM

7. Components of I.P.M.
Integration of all the methods of Pest Management is
essential as any single method will not be effective

8. Insects
◦ Harmful : Vegetarian “Pests”
◦ Beneficials : Non Vegetarian
Endosulfan‐‐ Controls pests and spares beneficials
Harmful insects are of two types
◦ Sucking
◦ Chewing
Endosulfan controls both types

9. Beneficial Insects

10. NaturalEnemies, Beneficials,, Parasites, Predators
(Defenders)
Pests and Defenders appear at the same time
“Manage Pests” rather than “control”
Use Selective Insecticides‐e.g. Endosulfan
Manage pests and save Parasites Predators

11. We have small farms
Mixed Cropping
Different stages of Crop
Hot and humid climate
Mixed pest population‐sucking chewing
Our farmers need products that are versatile
Endosulfan is recommended by Agricultural Universities
as its best suited in these situations

12. Pest and Pollinator appear at the same time
Challenge is to manage the pest and allow bee
visits
Use bee friendly insecticides
Endosulfan is soft on Honey bees

13. Multi Pest
Multi Crop
Safe to Beneficials
Safe to Pollinators
Avoids Resistance
Breaks Resistance
Economical

14. Has been in use as a broad spectrum insecticide since the 70’s largely
in cotton and other field crops
Was imported into India until 1980
India begins manufacturing Endosulfan from the early 80’s. There are
three Indian manufacturer’s of Endosulfan active including Hindustan
Insecticides Ltd, a Govt. of India enterprise
Endosulfan is today the most widely used generic insecticide in India
with usage in cotton, pulses, Tea, Mango, Vegetables and oilseeds
The only insecticide which is soft on Pollinators such as honeybees and
beneficial such as ladybird beetle, chrysoperla etc
Widely recommended for use during pollination
Widely recommended for use in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
and Insect Resistance Management (IRM) programs
Farmers in Andhra Pradesh are the largest users of Endosulfan in the
country and will stand to lose the most if there is a move to ban the use
of Endosulfan in the country

15. Performance of various insecticides against insect pests and safety to natural enemies of cotto
Insecticide Insect Pests Natural Remarks
s J W PBW/ ABW TC enemie
SBW Young Grow s
n up
A. Organochlorinate
Endosulfan Good Good Good Good Poor Very Safe Safer to the
good natural enemies,
low resistance to
ABW early in the
season
B. Synthetic pyrethroids
Poor Poor Very Poor Poor Poor Toxic Excessive use can
good cause resurgence
of whitefly and
ABW, high level of
resistance to ABW
J= Jassid; W= Whitefly; SBW= Spotted bollworm; PBW= Pink bollworm; ABW= American bollworm;
TC= Tobacco caterpillar