The human cost of agrotoxins


  • Photographer
    Pablo Ernesto Piovano
  • Prize
    2nd Place / Editorial/Environmental
  • Company/Studios
    Freelance
  • Date of Photograph
    2014-2015
  • Technical Info
    digital

In Argentina, 60% of the arable land of the country is sprayed with more than 200 million liters of glyphosate annually . On less than a decade, pediatric cancer cases have been tripled. The early abortions and unexplained birth defects has also dramatically increased to 400 percent. A preliminary collection of data on the sprayed villages with glyphosate says that 13,4 millions of people are affected direct or indirectly. Almost a third of the population. Despite the overwhelming reality, there is not any official systematized information. The glyphosate and the 2.4 D(Agent Orange component) herbicides are commonly used in the country. No national law regulates the use of herbicides. Glyphosate is banned in 74 countries. All this comes amid the complicit silence of the majority of the media. As a direct consequence, there are displaced villages, logging of native forests and environmental pollution. The documentary work "The human cost of agrotoxins" intends leaving evidence of impact on the population, after 20 years of indiscriminate use of agrochemicals in rural northeast of the country. The work focuses on the provinces of Entre Rios, Misiones and Chaco area of cultivation of citrus, fruit, sunflower, yerba mate, snuff, wheat, among others. The work of research and photographic documentation was possible thanks to the contact established with the non-governmental organization "network of doctors in villages sprayed" who have facilitated access to affected families in each village visited. This work is for me a deal with Mother Earth. This sight that over time and with the advancement of technology and the "civilization" we have lost the memory of our ancient sacred relationship with nature. Our grandparents have known honor, cure and thank foods on earth. The welfare of our future generations depend on the conscience of our leaders and our own people. When I learned of the catastrophic figures in environmental and health issues are causing the genetically modified seeds and agrochemicals Cocktail felt a deep indignation and also responsibility. The concentrated media outlets have perversely hidden outrageous the numbers of affected population . The complicity of those responsible (Monsanto, politicians, big landowner and seed pools) are in an obvious line with the big monopolies of information. That is why I decided to go on my own, in my own car, traveling 6000 km, to take evidence of this situation. Do not hesitate to describe this scenario as a drip and quiet genocide. This work is not just a documentary work, is primarily a denouncement.

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