Bangladesh moves to curb herbicide misuse in haor wetlands, aiming to safeguard fish, farmers, and ecosystems as boro rice cultivation begins after monsoon floods with tighter rules and monitoring nationwide.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Bangladesh has called for urgent measures to regulate herbicide use in the haor wetlands, the seasonal floodplain wetlands in the country’s northeast, to protect fish, livestock, and biodiversity. The announcement came during the second meeting of a national committee tasked with limiting harmful agrochemical practices in the upcoming boro rice season.
Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Farida Akhtar, highlighted that as water levels drop after the monsoon, farmers begin boro rice cultivation. She said, “In pursuit of maximum yields, many farmers use herbicides indiscriminately, which poses severe risks to aquatic life, livestock, and overall ecosystem health.”
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, was attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and Fisheries and Livestock, the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Bangladesh Tea Board, and the National Board of Revenue, along with regional commissioners from Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet.
Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Taher Muhammad Zaber stressed the need for coordinated efforts to protect biodiversity from the harmful impacts of herbicides. Senior Secretary Md. Mokabbir Hossain noted that highly toxic chemicals like carbofuran have already been banned and emphasized promoting organic herbicides and alternative crop protection strategies. Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said that once regulatory guidelines are finalized, herbicide use in the haor region can be significantly controlled. Health Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman suggested exploring a prescription-based system for herbicide sales to prevent overuse.
Currently, Bangladesh’s market hosts around 8,100 commercial brands of herbicides under 335 generic names, nearly all imported. The committee agreed on several key measures, including restricting herbicide sales in seven haor-dominated districts during the boro season, strengthening district and sub-district monitoring committees, ensuring clear Bengali instructions on all herbicide packaging, conducting farmer training programs, using laboratories of NIB, BCSIR, and BARI for toxicity testing, promoting environmentally friendly alternatives such as organic herbicides, Integrated Pest Management, and Good Agricultural Practices, and implementing a coordinated action plan for haor herbicide control by January 31, 2026.
At the same time, civil society observers and agricultural experts have expressed concern over recent posts by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute on social media, which appear to promote specific herbicides. Critics say such messaging blurs the line between research-based guidance and commercial advertising, potentially endangering farmers’ health and the environment.
While scientific knowledge on controlling weeds like water hyacinth or alligator weed is longstanding, the inclusion of specific commercial brand names and usage benefits raises questions about responsibility and potential conflicts of interest. Farmers in rural Bangladesh are already facing rising health risks from uncontrolled pesticide and herbicide use.
Field studies and citizen research indicate alarmingly high cancer rates among farming communities, with nearly one-third of farmers reportedly affected. Experts warn that focusing solely on effectiveness while ignoring toxicity and health hazards undermines responsible agricultural practice.
Another concern is the widespread misunderstanding between insecticides and herbicides. While insecticides target insects and herbicides target plants, both involve toxic chemicals applied using similar spraying equipment, often without protective measures. Farmers may unknowingly expose themselves, their soil, and water to harmful toxins.
Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, said, “This messaging comes from institutions where Bangladesh’s top rice scientists work, whose mandate is to promote sustainable agriculture and safe food systems. Presenting herbicides unilaterally, without highlighting safer alternatives such as mechanical weed control, water management, or low-toxicity options, raises serious questions about whose interests are being prioritized.”
Advocates urge that government platforms should stop promoting specific chemical products, and any discussion of herbicides or pesticides must include health risks, environmental impact, safe usage instructions, and alternative solutions. They also call on the Ministry of Agriculture to implement transparent communication policies, enforce conflict-of-interest guidelines, and prioritize public interest. Farmers require practical training to know what type of chemical to use, when, how much, and whether it is necessary.
Environmental activists warn that citizens have a role to play in holding institutions accountable. Sohanur said, “If government research increases health risks for farmers and pollutes the environment, silence is complicity.”
With herbicide use under scrutiny and the government taking action, the move seeks to balance agricultural productivity with public health and ecosystem sustainability, ensuring that the pursuit of higher yields does not come at the cost of human lives or environmental damage.
