Pesticides in the soil [Archives:2002/16/Last Page]

M Musida, they say that there are more poisonous chemicals in Yemen than anywhere else in the world.
Ma You dont need to tell me that! There isnt a single farmer in Yemen who hasnt got enough chemical fertilisers and pesticides and poisons in his house and storerooms to swamp all the fields and terraces of his village. We could shout about it until we make ourselves hoarse!
M Whats the point in shouting about it when theres no one to listen and no one to take on board the fact that were on the verge of an environmental catastrophe because our poisonous chemicals outnumber our stones and rocks! Maybe its because were becoming a developed nation, Musida, and I havent realised it?
Ma But its only people who play with fire wholl be burnt by it. You and I neither import these chemicals, nor do we sell them, nor do we smuggle them into the country, and its not us who buy them and sprinkle them all over the place!
M With all due respect, the tomato we eat is absolutely packed full of poison from these pesticides, so make what you can of that!
Ma What do you suggest we do then, Musid, when the market is now bursting with all types of produce a watermelon from Lahj is the size of a pick-up, and a single orange is large enough to feed four people!
M Thank God for all this produce, because Gods blessings are in the soul of the earth, and the earth is a covered bowl which will feed whoever uncovers it. But these pesticides which have come in spell catastophe for the consumer, the soil, the produce and even the unborn child.
Ma Should I tell you what I think the problem is?
M Go on!
Ma They say that God will add to whatever you do through your own hard work.
M What do you mean?
Ma Government officials are constantly warning people about the environmental dangers of using chemicals, but these warnings have had no effect on us, and we dont even seem to be aware that there are any dangers. They say if you talk to someone for an hour, theyll only understand a minute of what you say.
M The stuff is being poured in by people who import these poisons into the country through legal means, and by people who smuggle them in through the back door, and the ones who are going to gain from this environmental catastrophe are those who are only interested in their own profit. As long as theyre all right, they dont give a damn about anyone else.
Ma Thats one thing. The second thing is that people who sell these pesticides and poisons from their shops are playing with fire, just as much as the importers and smugglers. They think that if someone else does something dangerous, it gives them the right to do it as well.
M Youve hit the nail on the head, Musida. Importers of these chemicals have no idea what they contain, no idea how they should and when be used, and no idea what side effects they might have. And the same goes for the seller and the farmer; every single one of them is gambling on the health of the soil, the crops, the consumer, and the environment. This goes against the teachings of God and his Prophet (PBUH) and puts the lives of Yemenis at risk, and the first people who are going to be hurt by this activity are those who are behind it. As the Yemeni proverb goes, The snake charmer will meet death through the snake!

——
[archive-e:16-v:2002-y:2002-d:2002-04-15-p:./2002/iss16/lastpage.htm]