Feb 04, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government plans to introduce stringent new laws to control the usage of pesticides and chemical fertilizer as the indiscriminate usage of agrochemicals is considered as a major cause for high incidents of kidney disease among farmers.

Under the new laws, selling these chemicals to minors will be totally banned. Currently pesticides and chemical fertilizer are easily available to children.

Permits to issue pesticides and chemical fertilizer will be granted only to cultivators and it will be compulsory to issue instructions on the usage in all three languages.

The new laws will make it mandatory for the farmers and other users of these chemicals to exactly follow safety guidelines as neglecting safety guidelines has caused illnesses and in some cases deaths.

According to health reports, around 10,000 people are hospitalized and around 2,000 die annually due to the improper handling of pesticides and chemical fertilizer.

Authorities say although farmers have been advised to use agrochemicals in the mornings and evenings the products are also used during windy times.

Inferior quality of these products is another cause for adverse effects and the government plans to monitor the quality closely.