Escalating pesticide use poses a threat to public health in Nepal

Raju Thapa, from Dokrena in Tulsipur sub-metropolitan city -12, has dedicated 10 bighas (approximately 2.53 hectares) of land to vegetable cultivation. He started commercial farming in 2019 and is growing vegetables such as pumpkin, tomatoes , and cauliflower.

Thapa had planted two varieties of tomatoes–Gaurav and Chow–in three out of the 10 bigha fields. However, the latter variety of tomatoes suddenly perished. He summoned a technician and administered medication, but that did not make any difference.