Chinaconsidered the country with the highest global use of pesticidesintends to reduce its usefulness by 10% in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and tea within three years, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture announced on Thursday.
High levels of chemical pesticides and fertilizers are used on small, highly exploited Chinese plots, but their excessive use can degrade the soil and contaminate water, while inappropriate use can cause pollution and harm biodiversity.
The ministry also wants to reduce the use of these chemicals in rice, wheat and corn by 5% in the same period, and increase the use of organic fertilizers by the same amount by 2025.
“It is urgent to improve the efficacy and scientific use of pesticides and fertilizers by promoting the reduction of chemical pesticides”stated the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on its website.
At the same time, national food security and the supply of key products must be maintained, he added.
China began tackling the problem in 2015, with a campaign to stop the growth in chemical use by 2020.
Although the use of pesticides and fertilizers has been reduced by 16.8% and 13.8% respectively by 2021, the country continues to use too many and inefficiently, the ministry added.
According to the ministry, natural enemies such as insects should be part of efforts to eliminate pests and diseases, with the aim of using these prevention methods. “green” in more than 55% of the planted area by 2025.
China only has 7% of the world’s arable land, but absorbs a third of the world’s consumption of chemical fertilizers, with unit use 2.7 times the world average, according to a state-backed publication, China Energy News. .
(With information from Reuters)
Source: Gestion
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
