Excessive pesticide detected in chillies produced in Dhangadhi

Dhangadhi: Excessive levels of pesticide have been found in chillies produced in Dhangadhi, Kailali. A test conducted at the Pesticide Residue Rapid Analysis Laboratory Unit in Attariya confirmed the presence of excessive pesticide in chillies grown by farmer Sahdev Chaudhary of Dhangadhi-17, Pathari.

Deputy Technical Assistant Rajendra Prasad Bhatta said that 72.349 percent organophosphate was detected in the chillies during Thursday morning’s test. He added that the chillies also contained 39.919 percent carbomate.

According to Bhatta, vegetables and fruits are considered edible if the pesticide inhibition rate is below 35 percent. If the rate is between 35 and 45 percent, they may be kept in quarantine for a few days, but anything exceeding 45 percent is deemed unfit for consumption.

Although the presence of excessive pesticide was confirmed, the chillies could not be destroyed, Bhatta said. “We collected samples from farmers who came to sell at Kalika Traders in Attariya this morning. Until the report arrived, it was not possible to determine where Kalika Traders had bought and sold the chillies,” he said. He added that taking farmers’ details this time would help identify the production source more easily. The chillies weighed about 50 kg.