JANAKPURDHAM: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has established a pesticide residue testing laboratory in Dhalkebar, Dhanusha.
The laboratory, officially run from today, has been set up to assess the quantity of pesticide residues in fruits and green vegetables that are brought to Dhalkebar market from different places of the district.
According to the President of Agricultural Market Management, Budheswor Mahato, the Central Agricultural Laboratory under the ministry operated the facility to ensure the availability of agricultural products free from pesticides residue to the locals.
Shanta Karki, chief of Central Agricultural Laboratory, stressed the need of making citizens and farmers aware of the permitted quantity of pesticide and when to harvest fruits and vegetables after the use of pesticides.
She said, "If less than 35 per cent of pesticide residue is found in the vegetables and fruits, they are edible; if it is 35 to 45 per cent, they should be used only after some time; if it is more than 45 per cent, they are not edible. The laboratory is established with an investment of Rs 4 million with the help of Central Agricultural Laboratory.
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