11 types of pesticides found in Kathmandu rice, twice the amount in basmati rice

Residues of 11 types of pesticides have been found in rice consumed in Kathmandu Valley. A recently published study revealed this. In the samples tested during the study, residues of pesticides, insecticides, rodenticides and some banned pesticides were found. Compared to the rice sold in Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, the amount of pesticides has been found in the rice sold in shops in Kathmandu. Similarly, compared to non-Basmati rice, the amount of pesticides has been found to be twice as high in Basmati rice.

This research jointly conducted by 'Progressive Sustainable Developers Nepal' and India's 'Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research' has released a report titled 'Pesticide Use in Rice and Farmers' Safety Behavior: Principles of Planned Behavior and Potential Health Risks'. According to the report, the concentration of pesticides in rice consumed in three districts of Kathmandu ranged from 5.09 micrograms to 312.54 micrograms per kg. This report has been published in the prestigious international journal 'Environment, Development and Sustainability' of 'Springer Nature'.

Of the samples collected for the study, 83 percent of the rice was found to be toxic. More worryingly, 80 percent of the samples were found to contain residues of two or more types of pesticides. According to researcher Utkal Sapkota, among the 11 pesticides found in rice, the amount of tricyclazole, thimethoxam and tebuconazole is much higher than the maximum limit set by the European Union. He said that these pesticides are very harmful to human health.

The study has pointed out the reason for the high level of pesticides found in basmati rice. Research claims that Basmati rice is sold at a higher price and has less resistance to pests, so farmers use more pesticides. According to Sapkota, due to the high value crop, farmers tend to spray more and more frequently than the recommended amount to protect their investment and earn more profit, resulting in high residue levels.

The study warned that long-term use of pesticides found in rice could be harmful to human health. Studies have shown that the continuous consumption of this poisoned rice accumulates the amount of poison in the human body and it can lead to fatal diseases such as cancer related to stomach, prostate and reproductive health. Pesticides like chlorpyrifos, alpha-cypermethrin and profenofos banned by the government have also been found in rice. The conclusion of the study is that due to weakness in market monitoring, the use of such pesticides has not been stopped. Banned chemicals are still reaching farmers and wholesalers due to weak regulatory agencies.

Roshan Adhikari, senior crop protection officer of the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center, said that the residue of pesticides added to rice should not remain for a long time after reaching the consumer. However, he said he could say in detail only after studying the report. Officials claimed that there is a legal procedure for importing pesticides in Nepal and only registered pesticides can be imported. He believes that the appearance of pesticide residues in rice is a little different than that of vegetables, because the residue is more visible because the vegetable reaches the market directly, but since the rice is processed after pest control, the residue should be less.

Two scientists from Nepal, two from India and one from Japan were involved in this study. The study pointed out that there is a lack of advanced technology for pesticide testing in Nepal. The RBPR technology currently being used in Nepal only shows whether pesticides are present or not, it cannot prove which pesticides are present in what quantity. The scientists said that LC-MS/MS technology is required for this and it is not systematically available in Nepal.

It has been found that more than 65 percent of the sellers participating in the survey recommend banned pesticides and more than 80 percent of the farmers and sellers who are in direct contact with pesticides do not use the basic equipment needed to protect their health. Most sellers do not have enough knowledge about the serious effects of pesticides. Direct exposure to pesticides causes short-term and long-term health problems in farmers. Examples are diseases related to the skin, eyes, and liver, and problems with the nervous system or development. According to the study, there is a risk of serious long-term problems like cancer and kidney failure due to exceeding the maximum residue limit of pesticides and unsafe use.

To ensure food security in the future, the study suggested that the government should set its own standards for pesticides in staple foods such as rice and strengthen legal mechanisms to prevent illegal use of banned pesticides. In addition, scientists suggest that every state should establish a state-of-the-art laboratory for regular monitoring, promote biological pesticides instead of chemical pesticides, and implement a crop insurance program to protect farmers' investment.