KATHMANDU: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control and the Directorate of Crop Protection have started regular monitoring of the use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables entering the Kathmandu Valley.

The two government bodies have been carrying out the monitoring at the four entry points to the Kathmandu Valley - Sanga in the east, Thankot in the west, Pharping in the south and Kakani in the north.

The Department and the Directorate have started monitoring at these four entry points for last one week in response to the public complaints that widespread use of pesticides was found in fruits and vegetables imported into the Valley and sold in the local market.

The Ministry of Agricultural Development had prepared an action plan and directed the Directorate for effective and stringent monitoring.

The Ministry has stated that it had not yet found the level of pesticides used on fruits and vegetables entering Kathmandu Valley and sold in the local markets exceeding the permissible limit.

As per the action plan, monitoring shall also be carried out of other food items besides fruits and vegetables.