Written on the occasion of the broadcast of “Pesticides”: The contributions of pesticides should not be overlooked!

Release Date:

2019-07-12

In recent days, news of the launch of CCTV’s major science‑documentary series “Pesticides” has gone viral across pesticide professionals’ social media circles. This is China’s first pesticide documentary produced by CCTV—the country’s most authoritative state‑run media outlet—and also the first to authentically highlight the value of pesticides, making it especially significant at a time when some are seeking to demonize the industry. As soon as the program aired, the author saw comments like: “Thanks to this video, I’ve come to appreciate the real value and significance of this sector,” and “Let’s show a little more care and support for those in the agrochemical field.” Such messages were deeply moving. As an indispensable component of agricultural production, pesticides played a pivotal role during periods of acute food scarcity, and the entire industry once enjoyed a golden age…

In recent days, news of the launch of CCTV’s major science‑documentary series “Pesticides” has gone viral among pesticide professionals. This is China’s first pesticide documentary produced by CCTV—the country’s most authoritative state‑run media outlet—and also the first to truthfully highlight the value of pesticides, a feat of great significance at a time when some are seeking to demonize them. As soon as the program aired, the author saw comments like this in their WeChat Moments: “ “Thanks to this video, I’ve come to appreciate the value and significance of this industry.” “Let’s show a little more care and support to those in the agricultural supplies sector.” ……

These messages are truly touching. As an indispensable and vital input for agricultural production, the pesticide industry enjoyed a period of great prosperity during times of tight supply for agricultural products. According to a well-known domestic pesticide manufacturer, more than a decade ago, a severe pest infestation swept through a certain area in Hubei Province. When the company dispatched its specialized formulation, the local mayor personally came to greet them. Many veteran distributors with roots in the old supply-and-marketing system, recalling those days, are filled with deep emotion.

As living standards rise, an increasing number of people are placing greater emphasis on the quality of agricultural products, while rhetoric demonizing pesticides continues to resurface, placing mounting public‑opinion pressure on the pesticide industry. On the production front, with environmental protection and safety‑supervision regulations tightening, pesticides—being one of the end products of the fine‑chemical industry—are facing mounting pressure. Many pesticide manufacturers, constrained by their small production scales, struggle to gain access to industrial parks, further squeezing their operating space. More and more people in the agrochemical industry, when doing business, not only have to work up a sweat but also shed tears in the face of rumors and gossip. This is truly unacceptable.

According to statistics, losses caused by crop diseases, pests, and weeds can account for as much as 70%, and proper pesticide application can help recover approximately 40% of these losses. Pesticides play a crucial role in enabling agriculture to serve as an economic stabilizer for China. 。

“If the people of a country cannot have enough to eat, there can be no talk of economic development,” said Chen Wanyi, a professor at China Agricultural University and an expert in pesticides, in this documentary—words that truly give one much to ponder.

As one of the documentary’s initiators, Liu Yaping, put it: “‘Pesticides’ has set the record straight—though in fact, pesticides never needed to be vindicated. They have simply been quietly contributing to a better quality of life and to green, high‑quality agricultural production.” Hopefully, this documentary will draw public attention to the role of pesticides, ensuring that their quiet yet invaluable contributions are no longer overlooked.

Source: Agricultural Inputs Herald – Pesticides

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