Indian farmers fight pests with colas

Farmers in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh are spraying Pepsi and Coca-Cola to protect their rice plantations against pests.
It is 10 times cheaper than pesticides and gets the job done just as well.

The practice of using soft drinks to protect the crops is gaining so much popularity that sales of the drinks have increased in remote villages.

According to agricultural specialist Devendra Sharma, using sugar syrup for pest control is not a new practice, "Jaggery made from sugar cane has been used commonly for pest control on many occasions. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are being used to achieve the same result," he says.

Fellow scientist, Sanket Thakur, adds: "All that is happening is that plants get a direct supply of carbohydrates and sugar which in turn boosts the plants' immunity and the plantation on the whole ends up yielding a better crop."

Of course, Pepsi and Coca-Cola say there is nothing in the drinks that can be used in pest control.

Via BBC News.