SALES GO DOWN BY 50 PER CENT- NEPAL

After the media released news about the Rapid Pesticides Residue Analysis Laboratory finding vegetables and fruits containing residues of harmful chemicals beyond consumable limits, the sales of the fresh vegetables and fruits have gone down by 50 per cent. Vegetable trading in Kalimati, Balkhu, Bagbazar and other places of Kathmandu valley, central Nepal have remained less active and also the traders had to throw vegetables and fruits due to the lack of buyers. Similarly, recent test on cowpeas shows 97.17 per cent had residues of pesticides. Plant Protection Directorate (PPD) has urged the police to seize the inedible cowpeas from the traders. In the meantime, farmers from eastern Nepal have been found more conscious about the adverse effects of chemicals and most of them have completely stopped using pesticides in their fields. This is due to the effort of a cooperative organization which refused to buy any product using pesticides.

July 23, 26, 27

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Pesticide+scare+prompts+vegetable+sales+to+dip&NewsID=422074#sthash.JpUlRn2x.dpuf

http://www.ekantipur.com/2014/07/26/business/vegetable-traders-scuffle-with-police/392714.html

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=79759