Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment of the Odisha government has extended the ban on Paraquat herbicide by another 30 days from today.
“The sale/stock/distribution/manufacturing/use of Paraquat and its derivatives/formulation is hereby banned in the state of Odisha for a period of another 30 days after completion of 60 days with the continuation of the previous Govt order vide notification no. 22231/A&FE, dated 5th October 2023, with immediate effect from the issue of this Order,” reads the notification issued by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment today.
The State government on October 5, this year for the first time banned Paraquat in view of Public Safety on receipt of feedback and reports from various sources on the adverse effect of chemical pesticide Paraquat on human health and animals.
