The Department of Agriculture has announced that vegetables and fruits procured from neighbouring states for the Onam season would be rigorously tested for pesticide residue. Director of Agriculture Ashok Kumar Thekkan said the department would join hands with the Food Safety Commissionerate to step up the testing of samples. Special surveillance facilities would be established at inter-State borders.
The department has also written to officials in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to promote safe agricultural practices among farmers in their States and ensure pesticide safety.
