I worked as a tea plantation manager between 1992 and 2001. During that time I was exposed to pesticides on a regular basis.

Early in my career we used chemicals like Glyphosate, Monocrotophos, Cypermethrin and also Endosulphan, which is now illegal in India. They were commonly used for controlling weeds, thrips and other insect pests in tea estates.

Soon after my second child was born, I sprayed Monocrotophos all over my official residence because during the night, beetles had flocked to the house lights from a nearby rubber plantation. I got many barrels of dead insects, and left the doors open for a week. I did that myself.

By the end of 2001 I began to suffer with a lump in my throat. I was finding it difficult to swallow, and went to my doctor for advice. I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma CD 20+, a strain that cannot be controlled with chemotherapy alone. He prescribed monoclonal antibodies in combination with chemotherapy, and I have been well since.

According to my own internet research, including research papers from the National Cancer Institute and others, it is understood that NHL can be caused by exposure to weedicides, pesticides and nitrates in drinking water.

Immediately I made the link. I was exposed to pesticides for years together. We visited fields where pesticides had been used every day. For me, inhalation of pesticides and weedicides was normal.

I know the effect of pesticides now, but I wasn’t as aware then. When I look back I realise how dangerous our practices were. On the plantations, we gave out masks when people were spraying, but the smell only stays for a short time and then people think it’s safe.

I saw pesticides that were banned in Kerala arriving from other states and being used, and banned chemicals marketed under other names.

The Spices Board, under the Indian Ministry of Commerce, has done a lot to make growing spices safer. It’s much better than it was, but farm and plantation managers are not receiving proper training. Agriculture graduates aren’t really taught the ill effects of pesticides in college.

I still see pesticides being overused. For example, cardamom is very difficult to grow organically. People often spray pesticides unscientifically on cardamom farms.

It took a pay cut to work for PDS Organic Spices, but it was the right choice. It was an ethical decision. I’m for the small and marginal farmers. Some can’t go organic because they can’t afford to. You can’t blame the farmers.

On an organic farm you can feel the difference. The plants are healthy, the animals are healthy and the family is healthy.

Binu Joseph is agricultural officer for Peermade Development Society, an NGO which works for integrated rural development in Idukki District, Kerala.

PDS set up Sahyadri Farmers Consortium in 1997 to market farm products for export and provide technical assistance and training in organic spice cultivation.pdspeermade.com

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