The Dangers of Fruits Trees Spraying in Afghanistan
Written by: Ferishta Sahak
Most rural residents of Afghanistan have fruits gardens and they fulfill their daily necessities from the selling of their gardens products. if they want to get good fruits from their gardens, they have to keep the tree safe from insects, they should spray their fruits trees but sometimes the spray effects on children, chickens, and cattle.
AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some gardeners and an agriculture expert regarding this issue.
A woman from Mashino village, Qarabagh district, Kabul city says:
“We are gardeners and have grape vines. I help my husband in spraying trees. I only cover my nose but could not cover my eyes and hands. After spraying, my body and eyes itch and I feel dizzy.”
Najibullah, a resident of Paghman district, Kabul province says:
“Last year when I sprayed my fruit trees, I went to the bazaar and my son had taken sheep to the garden to feed them. when I came back, I saw that the sheep had died.”
Some gardeners have found a solution to this problem.
A gardener, Aminullah says: “I always spray in the morning and I use special eyeglasses and gloves and also I cover my face with a shawl(worn by the man) and I have faced no problem yet.”
An agricultural expert, Hafizullah says: “Insecticide spray is a poisoning chemical. The gardeners should use it carefully otherwise it could be caused stroke and cancer. If the spray drops on grass or mix with water and if cows eat that grass or drink that water, it would affect the cattle. If we eat its dairy, we might face crucial health problems.”
How to prevent spray hazards?
Hafizullah says: “the gardeners should keep spray instruments clean. They should use spray bottles or spray pump during spraying and should wear eyeglasses, gloves, plastic gown, and mask. The best time for spraying is early morning. They should not use home appliances for spraying and should not let cattle and chickens for a week to enter the garden and also should avoid eating the fruits of that garden for a week.”