Excessive use of chemical sprays worries Power Minister

Shimla, Oct 4 (UNI) Expressing concern over the excessive use of pesticides in the state, Himachal Pradesh Power Minister Vidya Stokes today said this was affecting the quality of horticulture and agricultural produce of the state.

''Excessive use of pesticides and sprays is rendering several fruits and vegetables being produced in the state beyond consumption.

The farmers' dependence on these should be minimised,'' she said after inaugurating a phone in knowledge based programme ''information is knowledge'' for the farming and rural community of the state here.

Ms Stokes said the agriculture and horticulture produce besides being unfit for consumption due to excessive use of chemical sprays were at times beyond the reach of common man.

People from other states of the country were now beginning to complain of excessive use of sprays in products from the state, she said.

She also criticised the extensive services of the state marketing wings instead of investing time and energy in research and development.

UNI AS HS PR KN2013