Toxic Blooms: Pesticide Impacts on Children in Tamil Nadu's Floriculture Industry

India ranks as the fourth largest producer of pesticides globally, with an estimated market size of around USD 4.9 billion in 2017, accounting for approximately 10% of the global pesticide market. The country has seen a significant increase in pesticide usage, rising from 47,020 tonnes in 2002 to 60,280 tonnes in 2014, primarily driven by commercialized agricultural practices in irrigated systems.

Paddy and cotton are the main crops consuming pesticides, with paddy using around 26-28% and cotton 18-20%. The expanding floriculture industry is also expected to increase pesticide use, often involving hazardous substances that pose health risks to child laborers employed in flower picking.

A report by PANAP highlights serious violations of children's rights within the floriculture sector in Tamil Nadu, underscoring the urgent need for government intervention and oversight by the National Human Rights Commission to address these issues.