## Sustainable Agriculture: Sri Lanka Urged to Adopt EIQ for Pesticide Safety 📈

A new framework for pesticide evaluation is being proposed to safeguard Sri Lanka's agricultural sector, moving beyond mere effectiveness and cost to prioritize environmental and human safety. • The Shift to EIQ The Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ), developed by Cornell University, offers a scientific score to assess risks to farmers, consumers, and ecosystems. It targets a "triple-bottom-line" for farming: effectiveness, economics, and environmental safety. • Why it Matters for Sri Lanka • Tropical climate risks: High temperatures and heavy rain in the dry zone increase the risk of chemical runoff into irrigation canals and rivers. • Biodiversity protection: Aims to protect bees (pollination), fish, and soil health (earthworms) from chemical exposure. • Worker & Consumer safety: Reduces long-term health risks for rural farmers and ensures safer food for consumers by minimizing residues. • Field Application (EIQ-FUR) The Field Use Rating (EIQ-FUR) provides a practical measure by considering the actual application rate and active ingredient percentage. A score below 25 is generally considered a lower environmental burden. • Policy Recommendations The Department of Agriculture (DOA) is urged to integrate EIQ alongside existing WHO classifications to move toward sustainable food security and meet international food safety standards.