KATHMANDU: The Plant Protection Directorate (PPD), in association with the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC), has started inspecting use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables in all four entry points of the Kathmandu Valley.

PPD has mobilised its lab staff with mobile laboratory facility at Sanga of Bhaktapur and Thankot, Pharping and Kakani of Kathmandu to inspect level of pesticides in fruits and vegetables.

After the rapid analysis of the products, the PPD would refer the products for a detailed lab analysis if the amount of pesticides exceeds the level considered edible, according to Dilli Ram Sharma, programme director at PPD.

If the level of pesticides is found to be above the level fixed by PPD during rapid analysis, the trader will be barred from selling the produce in the market until the DFTQC report is available. It takes around a week for DFTQC report, which is more thorough, to be ready.

The monitoring team has been asked to collect the information of the area in which the commodity was produced. “Based on the information, we can conduct awareness programmes in the concerned areas to reduce the overuse of pesticides or the Department of Agriculture can instruct pesticide inspectors of the District Agriculture Development Office to control the overuse of pesticide in the concerned areas,” said Yubak Dhoj GC, director general at Department of Agriculture.

At least one pesticide inspector has been appointed in each district.

PPD has also requested District Administrative Offices of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur to arrange for security personnel to ensure the security of lab staff at the entry points.