Western Odisha’s rising cancer cases are linked to pesticide use, prompting a shift towards organic farming
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha government has revealed its intention to encourage organic farming due to a rise in cancer cases in the Hirakud dam command area, which officials believe is linked to the use of chemical-heavy agricultural methods. Health professionals attribute this increase to the high application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the area’s bi-annual crop cycles.
“The situation in the former Sambalpur and Balangir regions is very alarming,” stated Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan. “The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is causing genetic mutations, which is contributing to the growing incidence of cancer,” he informed the legislative assembly. This area includes six districts.
Undivided Sambalpur refers to the areas of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, and Deogarh, which were created when Sambalpur was divided into these four districts in 1993. Similarly, Balangir was split into Balangir and Subarnapur. To tackle this issue, the state government has introduced the ‘Odisha Balabhadra Jaivik Chasa Mission,’ with an initial funding of Rs 1.5 crore. This initiative, which was part of the BJP government’s first budget last July, aims to reassure farmers that transitioning to organic farming will not reduce their yields.
“We must break the harmful cycle and show that organic farming can be just as productive,” Harichandan stated. “The government is dedicated to implementing various measures to promote organic farming practices,” he added.
The government is prioritizing sustainable farming methods while also tackling public health issues in the area, he stated. The minister was answering a question from senior BJD MLA and former health minister Prasanna Acharya, who pointed out that private companies are encouraging farmers to excessively use chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Health professionals have urged the establishment of a comprehensive cancer registry across Odisha to confirm the noticeably high number of cancer cases in the western districts, especially in Bargarh.
Ghanashyam Biswas, a medical oncologist based in Bhubaneswar, mentioned that the paddy-growing region of western Odisha significantly contributes to the state’s cancer burden. “When excluding other common factors, this area uses more pesticides due to the cultivation of two crops. A similar situation exists in Bathinda, Punjab, which also reports a high incidence of cancer,” he noted.
Dr. Lalatendu Sarangi, the former director of the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer in Cuttack, emphasized that while many believe certain areas have higher cancer rates, “We require detailed data to confirm this view. A district-wise population-based cancer registry should be established.”
At present, Odisha has cancer registries only for the Khurda and Mayurbhanj districts. The initial report from the Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) for Khurda, published in February 2025, indicated that one in every 12 individuals in the district is at risk of developing cancer.
The Fighters Group, a forum for cancer patients in Bargarh, reported that over 22,000 new cancer cases were identified from 2021 to 2023 across seven western districts, including Bargarh, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh.
“Bargarh town has seen 40 cancer-related deaths over the last two years,” stated Ashwini Darjee, a cancer survivor and leader of the group.
Dr. Sourav Mishra, a medical oncologist at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, highlighted the notably high number of patients from western Odisha districts. “It’s essential to investigate the link between cancer cases and pesticide usage in these areas,” he remarked.
A recent study from the US, published in Frontiers in July 2024, indicates that exposure to pesticides may carry cancer risks similar to those associated with smoking. The research revealed that counties with more agricultural activity showed increased cancer risks linked to pesticide exposure.
