Indian govt to launch special program to tackle excess pesticides

The government is planning to launch a special program to address the growing concerns over excessive use of pesticides in vegetables and fruits. The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) is preparing to launch a separate program to tackle the problem as the budget for the fiscal year 2014/15 couldn´t include the issue.

“Haphazard use of pesticides and other agro-chemicals in fruits, vegetables and other food items is a serious concern and major contemporary issue, as well,” Tek Prasad Luitel, deputy spokesperson of MoAD told Republica, adding “We will soon launch a separate program in a bid to address the problem as the budget did not include this issue.”

Luitel informed that the new program would primarily focus on establishment of pesticide residue testing laboratories across different vegetables and fruits markets and collection centers across the country as soon as possible, and conduct massive awareness campaigns among farmers and traders.

Source: myrepublica.com