In farming, the use of numerous pesticides and insecticides is so extensive that it is farming still a right livelihood or not? Where direct violation of 1st percept?
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In my understanding, as long as there’s intention to kill and the act of doing so, it is indeed a breach of the 1st precept. Using pesticides and insecticides could very likely also fall within wrong livelihood as stated in the Vanijja Sutta AN 5.177 :
"Monks, a lay follower should not engage in five types of business. Which five? Business in weapons, business in human beings, business in meat, business in intoxicants, and business in poison.
“These are the five types of business that a lay follower should not engage in.”
Usage of pesticides and insecticides wouldn’t be "business in poison” per se but one would have to buy and use them, which seems to be coming very close to that.
Most livelihood is on a scale. Meat farming, especially factory farms, being at the end of wrong livelihood. Small scale organic farming would be towards the beneficial end. We still need to eat, so farming with the intention to feed people nutritious food that does scorge the planet is a pretty good intention. After all,
What is the one? All sentient beings are sustained by food. kp4
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