Vegetables cultivated with sewage water destroyed

DC hopes this will sensitise farmers to abandon practices which pose serious threats to public health


​ Our Correspondent March 17, 2020
PHOTO: REUTERS

PESHAWAR: Vegetables grown with sewage water over at least 30 acres of land were destroyed in the provincial capital on Monday.

The Peshawar district administration in a statement on Monday said that following several public complaints and in pursuance of directives from the provincial government, they launched a crackdown in different areas of the city, including along Charsadda road, in the walled city, Zaryab colony and some suburban localities where vegetables are grown using sewerage water.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Ali Asghar. Heavy machinery was used to destroy such crops including mustard plants, cabbages, garlic bulbs and fodder being irrigated with the use of the polluted water.

“Over 30 acres of unsanitary agricultural foliage has been destroyed by the Peshawar district administration,” Asghar said in a statement on Monday. He added, “During the last week, around 13 acres of polluted vegetables were destroyed and the activity is a step toward the provision of safe and healthy agricultural products to the citizens”.

He hoped that this administrative intervention will sensitise farmers to abandon practices which pose serious threats to public health.

The deputy commissioner directed all assistant commissioners to undertake awareness campaigns in collaboration with agriculture extension department to educate farmers to adopt safe practices to irrigate and wash their produce. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2020.

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