PAKISTANI rice farmers use a number of pesticides for protecting the crops. They do not know that these pesticides are dangerous for humans and animals. These pesticides remain in water and soil for many years. But every problem has its solution.

Farmers across China, Japan, Iran and France are using ducks instead of pesticides for the sake of protecting humans, animals and the environment.

This old, tried and trusted way of farming is becoming popular again. Specially bred ducks are put into paddies to eat insects and weeds, while they leave the rice unharmed. At the harvest time they remove the ducks so that they do not eat the rice.

I urge the farmers not to use pesticides which may be dangerous for their and people’s health.

Abrar Moosa
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2019