Pesticides are substancesused in agriculture to kill pests and disease carriers like mosquitoes, ticks, rats, mice, andto prevent insect infestation. The damage caused by agricultural pests is an issue faced on a global level. And in the past half-century, the demand for pesticides used has increased up to four times.Following are some of the benefits that pesticides have:
Ever since pesticides have been introduced, farmers have been able to produce more crops on lesser land. Crop productivity has increased by 20 to 50 percent. This further allows farmers to maximize the benefits of other valuable agricultural resources. This includes high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and water. Thus, pesticides have turned to become an indispensable tool ensuring sustainable production of high-quality food.
Other than saving crops and livestock, pesticides are known to reduce water and vectorborne diseases. Reportedly, pesticides have prevented the deaths of about seven million people by killing pests that may carry or transmit certain types of diseases. Malaria, vector-borne diseases, has decreased in prevalence owing to the use of pesticides. Bubonic plague, carried by rat fleas, has also decreased.Pesticideshave significantly contributed tothe well-being of human beings by controllingthe number of water and vectorborne diseases.
As mentioned earlier, farmers are now able to grow more food on lesser land with the help of pesticides. And owing to this, farmers are now able to save money on land andmake better use of resources. This had led to a decrease in the prices of food. Other than this, an increase in the use of high-yield varieties of seeds and advanced irrigation technologies has also been observed.
With the help of pesticides, farmers can produce crops with less tillage. Thisprevents soil erosion and even reducesdeforestation. Other than this, pesticides also limit the growth of invasive plant species and noxious weeds.
Variousdeveloping countries have transformed into ‘breadbaskets’ for the world with the help of pesticides.Such crop protection products have helped farmers tremendously in growing a variety of crops each year. And the food is a major economic commodity, several countries rely on food exports as their primary revenue source.
These were some of the many benefits of using pesticides on crops. However, pesticides are also used for other purposes likemaintaining the turf on sports pitches and protecting buildings and other wooden structures from damage by termites. So, whether you are planning to buy azoxystrobin or imidacloprid, do thorough research as to which type of pesticide would fit all your requirements well.