Cola Beverages Used as a Pesticide in Eastern India
For farmers in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh it is cheaper than pesticides and gets the job done just as well. The product? Peps
Agricultural scientists give them some backing – they say the high sugar content of the drinks can make them effective in combating pests.
Farmers in the Durg, Rajnandgaon and Dhamtari districts of Chhattisgarh say they have successfully used Pepsi and Coke to protect their rice plantations against pests.
“All that is happening is that plants get a direct supply of carbohydrates and sugar which in turn boosts the plants’ immunity” ~ Sanket Thakur, agricultural scientist
It is a trend that has been seen in other parts of India, with farmers also using Indian brands of colas.
The practice of using soft drinks in lieu of pesticides, which are 10 times more expensive, is gaining so much popularity that sales of the drinks have increased drastically in remote villages.
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