Pesticide levels high, will ban vegetables from Karnataka: Kerala

BENGALURU: The state government, which is facing flak in the wake of a series of suicides by farmers, is likely to face another problem as the government of Kerala proposes to impose a ban on fruits and vegetables supplied from other states because of use of pesticides beyond permissible limits.

This decision could well be part of pressure tactics by the neighbouring state as Karnataka has refused to scrap the ban on movement of vehicles at night through Bandipur Tiger Reserve following a Supreme Court verdict.

If this ban implemented is strictly, farmers of Gundlupet taluk in Chamarajanagar district are likely to be hit most. Several truck loads of fruits and vegetables are transported to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other southern states from this region.

Kerala’s minister for health Mr V. S. Sivakumar told Deccan Chronicle that their government had planned to convene a meeting of officials concerned on July 21 to discuss the ban on fruits and vegetables with high residues of chemicals but it was postponed in view of ongoing session of legislature in Karnataka. There had been no reply from his Karnataka counterpart regarding the proposed ban on fruits and vegetables. So, the meeting has been put off to next week (preferably after the legislature session ends), he added.

He clarified that this proposed ban was not only for fruits and vegetables of Karnataka but also those grown in Tamil Nadu and other states which dispatch large amount of fruits and vegetables every day. Sample tests conducted in laboratories of Kerala has revealed high chemical residues in fruits and vegetables supplied from other states and such a drastic step was inevitable. The department of food safety of Kerala was in touch with his Karnataka counterpart on the issue of high level of pesticide residues, he added.

Mr Sivakumar denied that his state does not produce fruits and vegetables as compared to other three southern states, and said vegetable production has increased by up to 70 per cent from 40 per cent four years ago. It was wrong to say that the condition of soil in Kerala was not suitable for cultivation of fruit and vegetable-bearing plants. “Our prime interest is to protect the health of citizens by avoiding the sale of such items. I will talk to health ministers of all three states before finalising it. Karnataka health minister U.T. Khader is my close friend and I will explain the reasons before implementing it (the ban),” he added.

Will ask APMC to test produce: H.S. Mahadeva Prasad

Sugar and Chamarajangar district-in-charge minister H.S. Mahadeva Prasad admitted that some farmers in Gundlupet area spray high volume of pesticides to protect the crops from pests. In these conditions, fruits and vegetables certainly contain high level residues which definitely affect health. Kerala businessmen buy around 6-7 truck loads of fruits and vegetables from the Gundlupet APMC and sold in their state at high cost.

A number of shops had been put all along NH 212 where people buy fruits and vegetables on their way to Kerala. “I will ask APMC authorities to do sample test and reject on the spot if they contained high residues of pesticides. Besides, local horticulture officials will be asked to create awareness among local growers against the use of excessive pesticides. The issue will be discussed at the government level to resolve it amicably,” he added.

The minister said Kerala purchases large quantity of cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, beans and water melon (Kiran variety). There would be no problem for local vegetable growers because of huge demand in Mysuru. It would be Kerala at loss as they do not get vegetable at such a low price.

Meanwhile, Mr R Dhruvaranayana, MP of Chamarajanagar, said he was not aware of any such proposal by the Kerala Government. However, he would talk to Lok Sabha members of Kerala and resolve the issue.