The Pests In Control

FOR two decades, what could probably be a revolution in the production of environmentally-sound pesticides—worldwide—is sitting quietly, awaiting registration. Invented by Pune-based M.N. Sukhatme, the herbal pesticide Indiara has already been successfully tested across the globe, and the testimonials are flattering. The California-based Hemispheres Inc. wrote to Sukhatme: "We have used Indiara in our gardens, both on tent caterpillars (ferocious defoliators that were beginning to infest our apricot tress) and aphids (infesting buds and new stems on some of our rose bushes). In both cases it has taken a three per cent solution for about 90 per cent control." That was 10 years ago.

Hoax? No. Hype? Quite the opposite. Experiments have been successful in several other countries, including Germany, Australia, the Philippines and Japan. Test results, requests to be appointed as marketing agents for Indiara and proposals for production plants to be set up abroad have been coming in regularly at the bungalow-converted offices of Sukhatme's company, Herringer Bright Chemicals. Meanwhile, he has applied for registration with the US-based Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It's a different story in India, though. According to Sukhatme, the Central Insecticides Board (CIB) is refusing to register the pesticide and allow its sale. He has been corresponding with the CIB since 1976, when he first baptised the pesticide, but registration remains elusive. "To submit toxicity reports, many of which were superfluous, I have spent over Rs 10 lakh." It was only in 1987 that the CIB gave a provisional registration—with rigid conditions.

But even this was short-lived. In order to carry out the numerous toxicity and efficacy tests, Sukhatme had to distribute free and priced samples of his product. Since these tests were to be conducted on different types of crop, he placed an advertisement in a newspaper. According to him, "the advertisement created a flutter in the CIB, resulting in the cancellation of the provisional registration in January 1989." The reason, however, he claims, could have been pressure from giant pesticide-manufacturing transnationals.

A stunned Sukhatme protested to the board. A detailed article was published in an international news bulletin. Scientists, ecologists and environmentalists worldwide offered support after reading the article. Ultimately, the board requested him to apply for permanent registration.

The scientist is supplying retail Indiara to those who ask for it. One of the regular users of Indiara is the Osho commune at Pune which claims that the pesticide also gets rid of mosquitoes without any toxic residue. The Pune Stud Farm also vouches for Indiara. Notes A.V. Deshpande, director: "Within three or four sprays of 3 to 5 per cent Indiara, the entire mosquito population was fully controlled." Just what is this magic potion? Refusing to divulge the process, Sukhatme claims that he uses only vegetables like onions, garlic and mustard to make his pesticide. The salient features of Indiara, after a score of tests performed by institutes both in India and abroad, are appealing (See box).

It's a mystery, then, why Indiara has not yet been registered in India. One problem could possibly be that since there are no separate norms for registration of herbal and non-toxic pesticides, it is difficult for Indiara to be slotted. Which is ridiculous, considering that all over the world, the search for environment-friendly pesticides is on. Indeed, since India is a signatory to the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement, the government ought to play a proactive role in promoting Indian research. More so, considering that the country imports pesticides worth over Rs 2,000 crore each year.

 But does not anyone care in India? Says Sukhatme: "On advice from Justice C. Dharmadhikari, I refrained from approaching the Indian Patent Office, as that's a sure way to get the formula leaked." He has resisted feelers from TNCs to let go of his invention. However, he is willing to get his pesticide manufactured in other countries—provided he is compensated adequately. Which would indeed be a pity, when Indiara could well become a global brand from India.