By T P Rajendran
Recently, The Hindu Newspaper carried the news on the formal launch of ‘KISAN KAVACH’, World’s first and only one Suit, that prevent exposure of pesticides on to the bodies of the farmers and labourers who sprays them in crop fields. The Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India launched this innovative dress that can be worn by farmers and their labourers while applying pesticides in crop fields for insuring minimal exposure of pesticide chemistries to their bodies. The Department of Biotechnology funded research led to the development of Oxime-functionalised fabric to design and develop cap, pants and pullover to be worn by the operator. Touted to cost about INR 4000/-, this can be put to use for over 50 wash cycles which would last over one year.
The research to develop commenced in 2018 by a team of nine scientists / technologists, led by Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula of Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (DBT-inStem), GKVK Post, Bellary Road, Bangalore, 560065. The illustrious team of researchers partnered with the MSME StartUp, viz. Sepio Health Private Limited, Bangalore (Dr. Omprakash Sunnapu) and Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), inStem, Bangalore. Their research publication in Nature Communication: volume 15, Article number: 4844 (2024) describe the “Oxime-functionalized anti-insecticide fabric reduces insecticide exposure through dermal and nasal routes and prevents insecticide-induced neuromuscular dysfunction and mortality”. This technical textile developed out of bio-degradable chemistry has been proved to absorb pesticide substances, thereby preventing the pesticide spray particles to fall on operator’s body. The safeguard offered to pesticide applicators is big boon to those farmers and their labour in India and other Asian countries, where manual and power-sprayers are still in vogue in farmers’ fields. Kisan Kavach is made out of the breathing Oxime fabric that enables the spray operator comfortable in hot sun. The suit is washable multiple times and hence reusable many times. I am sure that farm families would be benefited using this very significant apparel to undertake crop protection spraying operations in their farms.
The discovery of the functional fabric composition, materials and methods as well as its capacity for deactivating of toxic agents has Indian patent # 201841006678 and Sri Lankan Patent # 20419, for “composition, materials, and methods for deactivating toxic agents”.
This immense boon to prevent toxicological exposure of pesticide spraying to humans in farms is to be reckoned as a ‘farmer-friendly’ technique that support risk-free pesticide application on crops. The national policy on farming may induct this product of this MSME StartUp, M/s Sepio Health Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru into National Farming Policy as well as in all government schemes to promote Integrated pest management / Integrated Crop Production management in all Indian States and Union Territories.
TP Rajendran, Formerly ADG (Plant Protection), ICAR and Founder Director, ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur (CG).
Email: tp.rajendran@yahoo.in
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