Vegetables brought for sale at the Agriculture Produce Wholesale Market Centre in Butwal were destroyed in large quantities on April 9 after an excessive amount of pesticide residue was detected.
According to the Rapid Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory Unit in Butwal, testing of beans, brought from Chitwan, showed up to 97.07 percent of organophosphate group pesticide residue.
Out of 150 kilograms of beans brought to the market in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City–6, 120 kilograms were destroyed at the dumping site on April 9, in coordination with the sub-metropolitan office. The remaining 30 kilograms had already been sold, and after identifying the buyers, they were informed and instructed to dispose of the produce.
According to Rajiv Bhandaari, Deputy Technical Assistant at the Rapid Pesticide Residue Analysis Laboratory Unit, Butwal, routine testing showed extremely high pesticide levels in the beans. He clarified that “97.06 percent does not directly indicate pesticide quantity, but the inhibition percentage, which measures how much the pesticide blocks enzyme production in the body.”
He added that produce with pesticide residue levels between 0 and 35 percent is considered safe for consumption, while levels between 35 and 45 percent require quarantine and re-testing. Any produce exceeding 45 percent is mandatorily destroyed.
According to technicians, vegetables produced especially during the off-season tend to contain higher pesticide levels. They noted that farmers often bring produce to market without observing the required waiting period after pesticide use, leading to such issues.
Bhandaari also advised consumers to avoid immediate consumption of green vegetables purchased from the market and suggested storing them in a refrigerator for one to two days, which can help reduce pesticide levels to some extent.