Change harmful habits

In the picture of agricultural modernization across the country, there is a reality that is happening quietly but has not been fully recognized: the abuse of herbicides. No longer an isolated phenomenon, the use of chemical herbicides has become a common habit in many rural areas, even... convenient to the point of being dangerous.

Spraying herbicides is beneficial in the short term but harmful in the long term. Photo: Document

In many fields and corn fields, herbicides are often used as a “preliminary” step after planting. Not only in production, people also use chemicals to treat fences, sidewalks, and village roads, places that previously only needed manual weeding. Along national highways, it is not difficult to see patches of yellow, dry grass, a sign of newly sprayed chemicals, appearing more and more frequently.

The underlying reasons for this situation are not difficult to guess. There is a shortage of rural labor, young people leave their hometowns, and the elderly stay to farm. In this context, herbicides have become a labor-saving and convenient solution chosen by many households. On the other hand, lack of knowledge is also a big problem. Many farmers have never been trained in how to use pesticides, do not read labels carefully, and cannot distinguish between banned and permitted pesticides.

That “convenience” is being paid for in the form of degraded land, polluted water sources and public health risks. Residual chemicals reduce the microflora, destroy soil structure, increase erosion and reduce fertility. More seriously, some pesticides can seep into groundwater, flow with rain into rivers and streams, leaving long-term consequences. While the world is moving towards ecological, organic and circular agriculture , the overuse of herbicides is going in the opposite direction. If we do not change, our country’s agriculture will face the risk of losing its competitive advantage, especially in agricultural exports.

To stop this slide, a series of synchronous solutions are needed. First of all, it is necessary to change awareness. Localities need to increase extensive and diverse communication on radio, television, social networks, leaflets, posters, etc. to bring information to villages about the harmful effects of herbicides on soil, water and human health.

At the same time, relevant ministries and agencies need to organize training on pesticide-free farming techniques, instructing farmers on how to identify safe and banned pesticides. Encourage the use of biological products and organic fertilizers to control natural weeds. In particular, it is necessary to expand ecological and organic agricultural models associated with the consumption of clean products. Market management must also be tightened. Establishments trading in pesticides of unknown origin must be strictly handled. The list of banned pesticides must be made public, updated and easily accessible.

Ending the overuse of herbicides cannot be done overnight. But with the concerted efforts of the government, the industry and the people, we can gradually build a safe and sustainable agriculture where the soil is not poisoned just to “clean the grass”.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202508/thay-doi-thoi-quen-gay-hai-ee36527/