Benefits to society

“Paraquat – A harvest of hope”

In many parts of the world, climate and labor conditions have not been conducive to the farming of certain staple crops and to improvements in sustainable agricultureDescription Management and conservation of the natural resource base and the use of technological and organizational change in a manner that ensures continued agricultural production from the land for present and future generations. Such practices conserve land, water, and plant and animal genetic resources. They are environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable, and socially acceptable. Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Authoritative On-line References and Resources www.nal.usda.gov Information from the USDA's Alternative Agricultural Systems Information Center. practices such as conservation tillageDescription Any tillage and planting system that covers 30 percent or more of the soil surface with crop residue after planting to reduce soil erosion by water. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www2.ctic.purdue.edu/Core4/CT/Definitions.html Core4Conservation is part of the Purdue University-based Conservation Tillage Information Centre.. Paraquat’s unique properties have made possible the cultivation of many of these crops - to the benefit of farmers and of society.

From harvest to marketBenefits to society include:

  • Reduction in labor needs related to hand-weeding crops and de-suckering vines, freeing up farmers and their families to pursue paid labor and/or educational opportunities.
  • Increase in viable crop options resulting in improved food supplies, increased revenue, and additional employment opportunities.
  • Stimulated economies. The fast action of paraquat quickly eliminates weed competition and since it is also non-residual it is an ideal tool for multi-cropping, allowing farmers to maximize income from their land.

For an overall assessment of paraquat’s contribution to sustainable agriculture, read “Paraquat and Sustainable Agriculture” by Richard Bromilow.

“Paraquat has the unusual property of being active only by direct spray…such properties allow paraquat to be used in many crops such as those grown by low tillage methods.”
- Pest Management Science 2003 (60:340-349)