PESTICIDE USE PRACTICES IN KATHMANDU DISTRICT,
NEPAL
A report submitted for the partial fulfillment of the requirements of the internal evaluation of
Grade XI in Science (Biology)
Submitted by:
Pratik Ghimire
Section: DJ1
ID No.: 29383
Grade: XI
Submitted to:
Department of Biology
Trinity International College
Dillibazar Height, Kathmandu
Nepal
December, 2023
DECLARATION
I Pratik Ghimire, hereby declare that the project work entitled “PESTICIDE USE PRACTICES IN
KATHMANDU DISTRICT, NEPAL” under the supervision of Mr. Pramod Pandey and [Link]
Bajracharya of Trinity International SS & College, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, is done originally by
me and not been submitted for the elsewhere for the award of any degree. All sources of
information have been specifically acknowledged by reference to the authors or institutions.
Pratik Ghimire
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CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
The project work entitled “PESTICIDE USE PRACTICES IN KATHMANDU DISTRICT,
NEPAL” by Master Pratik Ghimire, DJ1, ID No.: 29383, under my supervision in Trinity International
SS & College, Nepal, is hereby submitted for the partial fulfillment of the requirement for the grade XI
Science in Biology. This project work has not been submitted in any other school or institution
previously for the award of Grade XI.
Mr. Pramod Pandey Mr. Sagun Bajracharya
Supervisor Supervisor
Department of Biology Department of Biology
Trinity International College, Nepal Trinity International College, Nepal
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Taken this opportunity to express my respect and gratitude to my esteemed guide Mr. Pramod
Pandey and Mr. Sagun Bajracharya, and subject teachers Mr. Pramod Pandey and Mrs. Laxmi
Shankhi. I am thankful to them for their constant support, encouragement and guidance
throughout this project completion period.
I am obliged to staff members of Trinity International College for the valuable information
provided by them in their respective field. I am grateful for their cooperation during the period of
my assignment.
Lastly, I would like to thank my family members for their constant encouragement without which
this project would not be possible.
Pratik Ghimire
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Titles Page No.
Declaration i
Certificate of approval ii
Acknowledgement iii
Table of content iv
[Link]
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Objectives of the study 2
2. Materials and methods 3
2.1 Study area
2.2 Methods of data collection
3. Results
3.1 Pesticides sold from different agro-vet centers 4
3.2 Agro-vet safety equipment and selling trends by gender and age 6
3.3 Hazardous level and formulation types of selling pesticides 7
4. Discussion and conclusion 8
5. Recommendation 9
6. References 10
7. Appendix 11
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) that are used to kill or inhibit the growth of
pests. These chemicals pose several health risks to humans. Examples of health hazards related
to pesticides include diseases of the central nervous system, immune system diseases, cancer,
and birth defects. The most commonly applied pesticides are insecticides to kill insects,
herbicides to kill weeds, rodenticides to kill rodents, and fungicides to control fungi, mould, and
mildew (EPA, 2021).
Pesticides are of two types: chemical based and biological products; Biological is a much
more sustainable solution for pest control. It has not been long since people started using
chemicals often called pesticides and insecticides in order to increase agricultural productivity.
According to the EPA, pesticides are the chemicals used to prevent, destroy, repel and
mitigate the insects and pests. Identification of DDT as a potential pesticide by Nobel Prize
winner Paul Herman Muller in 1939,opened the gate to the extensive use of the chemical
pesticide.
Pesticide sales have risen rapidly since the 1970s globally (Ecobichon, 2001). The Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), estimates that up to 50% of the annual crop production in
developing countries may be lost due to pests and diseases. Therefore, many of these countries
depend on the use of pesticides to increase agricultural production and are expected to increase
dramatically in the coming years than in industrialized countries. Developing countries have
benefited from use of pesticide but increasing dependence on these chemicals and adverse
effects on human health and the environment is a concern.
History of chemical pesticide use in Nepal is not old. During the 1950s, DDT was introduced
for the malaria eradication program which was later imported by the Government of Nepal and
later on, other pesticides like Gammexene and nicotine sulfates were imported for the same
purpose as well as new kinds of Pesticides like organochlorines, organophosphates and
carbamates were introduced (Manandhar, 2005). It has not been long since people started using
chemicals in order to increase agricultural productivity.
Nepal imports pesticides from six different countries with local production in scant quantity
where fifty-five certified importers are involved in marketing of common pesticides whereas
fourteen types of pesticides are banned for normal use by the Government of Nepal (Koirala
and Tamrakar, 2008). According to Manandhar (2005), 7028 resellers are trained on safe use of
pesticides and storage management and 6660 are licensed. In total 107 different pesticides (by
common name) have been registered under 650 different trade names. Same pesticides under
different trade names have created confusion among the farmers as they think the products are
different in their use. The annual imports of pesticides in Nepal is about 211 tons with 29.19%
insecticides, 61.38% fungicides, 7.43% herbicides and 2% others.
The average consumption of pesticides in Nepal is on an average 142 g/ha. (Thapa, 1997) but
the maximum goes up to 1450 g/ha. in vegetables (Sharma, 2015). The literature review shows
that Organochlorines (endosulfan and gammexane) and organophosphates (methyl parathion,
phorate, dichlorvos, monocrotophos, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, profenofos, and malathion) are
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still in use in Ansikhola watershed (Atreya [Link]., 2011).
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In the household dust of Nepal, Organochlorines are detected up to 11858 mg/m2 and total
organophosphates up to 537 ng/m2 (Sharma, 2019). Many researchers (Neupane, 2001; Shrestha
and Neupane, 2002; Dahal [Link]., 2009; Raut, 2010; Jayana et. al., 2008; Lama, 2008; Sitaula
and Atereya, 2010; Atreya, 2012; Rawal et al., 2012 ) mention that the use of pesticides is
increasing and has a threat to people’s health and environment. The intensive use of inorganic
fertilizers and pesticides is an option for higher yield rates, which is being practiced in some of
the mid-hills of Nepal. High rates of pesticides are used on cash crops such as sugarcane, paddy,
potato, tomato and other vegetables. However, more persistent and hazardous pesticides are
commonly used, often with little or no education, monitoring or regulatory control, studies on
the amount and types of pesticides in soil, water, air or biota should be to a greater extent.
1.2Objectives of the study
● To identify mostly sold pesticides and their hazardous level from different agro-vet centers.
● To analyze the awareness level of pesticide users.
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2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Study area
Balkhu (27°40'59.05"N and 85°17'52.24"E) Kuleshwor (27°41'24.37"N and 85°17'56.22"E) and
Kalimati (27°41'54.77"N and 85°18'1.29"E) areas were selected for study purpose.
Fig 1. Map of Study area
2.2 Methods of data collection
Purposive Random selection of the agrovet was done during the survey. Open ended
questionnaire was prepared to generate information on the crops, pesticide use, their types,
amount and application concentration or times.
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3. RESULTS
3.1 Pesticides sold from different agro-vet centers
During the survey, different questions about availability of safety measures, awareness of the consumers
about impacts, name of the highly sold pesticides and use of pesticides were asked. Different types of
pesticides used for different crops were found to be sold from different agro-vets. Methyl parathion was
found to be highly sold which is used against the pests of rice, potato and tomato. Similarly, the pesticide,
endosulfan was found to be effective against the pests of rice. In contrast, the pesticide used against bean,
dimethoate was least sold.
The following table shows the different types of pesticides sold against different crops such as Rice,
Potato, Cauliflower and Bean by different Agro Concerns. Data from some agro centers are given below:
Table 1. Pesticides sold from Adarsh Agro Center, Balkhu.
Crops/ Use of Pesticides Dose Frequency
Vegetables
Name Grade
Rice Methyl parathion, Ib, II 30ml per pump (16L) 1-3 times as per
(Ashare) Endosulfan per ropani need
Rice Dichlorvos Ib 30ml per pump (16L) 1-3 times
(Chaite) per ropani
Potato Diathene, Thimet, II, Ib 3 spoons per pump 4-8 times
Methyl Parathion (9L) per 0.5 ropani
Cauliflower Soap soln, Surf, II 2spoons per pump 1-3 times as per
Gahut, Diathene (9L) per 0.5 ropani need
Beans Cypermethrin II 4 spoons/9l per 0.5 6-8 times per
ropani season
Table 2. Pesticides sold from Pomo seeds and Agro concern, Tarkari Bazaar Balkhu
Crops/ Use of Pesticides Dose Frequency
Vegetables
Name Grade
Rice Aldrin, Hinosan Ib 30ml per pump (16L) 1-3 times as per
(Ashare) per ropani need
Rice (Chaite) Endosulfan, Methyl II, Ib 30ml per pump (16L) 1-2 times, 2-3
Parathion per ropani times.
Potato Chordane, Carbaryl II 3 spoons per pump 4-8 times
(9L) per 0.5 ropani
Cauliflower Soap soln, Surf, II 2 spoons /9L per 0.5 1-3 times as
Gahut, ropani per need
Beans Cypermethrin II 4 spoons per pump 6-8 times per
(9L) per 0.5 ropani season
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Table 3. Pesticides sold from Durga agro and Bij Bhandar , Kuleshwor
Crops/ Use of Pesticides Dose Frequency
Vegetables
Name Grade
Rice Endosulfan, II 30ml per pump (16L) 1-3 times as per
(Ashare) Cypermethrin per ropani need
Rice Thiodad, Diazinon II 30ml per pump (16L) 1-2 times
(Chaite) per ropani
Potato Dimethoate II 3 spoons per pump 4-8 times
(9L) per 0.5 ropani
Cauliflower Deltamethrin II 2spoons per pump (9L) 1-3 times as per
per 0.5 ropani need
Beans Cypermethrin II 4 spoons per pump 6-8 times per
(9L) per 0.5 ropani season
Table 4. Pesticides sold from Himalayan Enterprises, Kalimati.
Crops/ Use of Pesticides Dose Frequency
Vegetables
Name Grade
Rice Thiodan, Methyl II, Ib 30ml per pump 1-3 times as
(Ashare) Parathion (16L) per ropani per need
Rice Thiodad, II, 30ml per pump 1-2 times
(Chaite) Carbendazim unhazard (16L) per ropani
Potato Chlordane, II, Ib 3 spoons per pump 4-8 times
Carbofuran (9L) per 0.5 ropani
Cauliflower Dichlorvos Ib 2spoons per pump 2-4 times as
(9L) per 0.5 ropani per need
Beans Dimethoate II 4 spoons /9L per 0.5 4 times per
ropani season
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3.2 Agro-vet safety equipment and selling trends by gender and age
Different equipment used for safety measures like gloves, masks, and boats are available in
agro-vet centers. During our survey, only some people are aware about safety measures and
they buy the equipment during pesticides purchasing (fig 2). Most of the customers belong to
the age group 35-45 (fig 3). The customers are mainly male as well as the community group
involved in the mass agro product. This result shows the low awareness level of pesticide users
about negative impacts of pesticides and they are at high risk of hazardous effects of pesticides.
Awareness level
Aware Not aware
Fig 2. Awareness level of users of pesticides
Fig 3. Age group7of pesticides consumers
3.3 Hazardous level and formulation types of selling pesticides
Most of the pesticides sold from the markets are in E.C (Emulsifiable concentrate) followed by
W.P (Wettable powder) and then liquid formulation type. The Powder form of pesticides are
found to be least sold. Customers also prefer the liquid for easy formulation. Most of the
pesticides belong to hazardous grade II.
This result implies that users prefer hazardous pesticides than other grade pesticides due to their
fast knockdown effects.
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DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
This study was done in the minimum sample of agro-centers from Balkhu, Kalimati and
Kuleshwor area. The different pesticides of different grades of WHO category were identified
and tabulated. The hazardous level of pesticides as well as awareness level of customers was
determined by questionnaire method. Only 30% of customers were found to be aware about the
hazardous effects of pesticides which was also concludes by Koirala, P. and Tamrakar, A S.
(2008) Analytical capability on pesticide analysis in food in Nepal. Mainly the customers are of
the age group 35-45 years. The customers are mainly male as well as the community group
involved in the mass agro product. Pesticides of hazardous level II were found to be highly sold
which implies the preference of the users towards pesticides having quick knockdown effects.
Methyl parathion was found to be highly sold which is used against the pests of rice, potato and
tomato.
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RECOMMENDATION
To mitigate the hazardous impact of pesticide use, sellers should promote eco-friendly
alternatives, launch educational campaigns on proper usage, and ensure comprehensive labeling
with safety instructions. Offering training programs to users, emphasizing Integrated Pest
Management practices, and conducting regular compliance checks can further reduce risks.
Community engagement initiatives should be implemented to raise awareness and foster a
collective commitment to safe pesticide practices.
To use pesticides more safely, adopt environmentally friendly options, educate yourself on
proper application and safety measures, follow instructions on labels, consider Integrated Pest
Management practices, and engage with local communities for knowledge sharing on
responsible pesticide use.
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REFERENCES
Jayana, B., Pant, S., Prasai, T., Jasmine, D. (2008) Study on major pesticides and fertilizers used in
Nepal. Scientific World. pp 76-80.
Koirala, P. and Tamrakar, A S. (2008) Analytical capability on pesticide analysis in food in Nepal.
Proceedings of 5th National Seminar organized by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology,
Kathmandu, Nepal. pp 10-12.
Lama, J. (2008) Standard setting on pesticide residue to ensure food safety. The Journal of
Agriculture and Environment. pp 46-53.
Manandhar, D N. (2005) Inventory of Pesticides in Nepal. Report submitted to POPs Enabling
Activities Project, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Pesticides Registration and Management Section (PRMS). (2010) Pesticides registration and
management program: introduction, achievements and directives. Nepal: Ministry of
Agriculture and Cooperatives, Department of Agriculture.
Rawal, S D., Rana, N., Shrestha, S., Sijapati, J. (2012) Assessment of Pesticide Residue In some
vegetables grown in Kavrepalanchok and Bharatpur districts. Nepal Journal of Science and
Technology. 13 pp 45-50.
Sitaula, B., Atreya, K. (2010) Mancozeb: growing risk for agricultural communities in Himalaya.
Journal of Sciences.
Sharma, D R. (2015) Use of Pesticides and its Residue on Vegetable Crops in Nepal. The Journal
of Agriculture and Environment. pp 33-42.
Sharma, D R. (2019) Status of Chemical pesticides use and their regulation in Nepal.
Hariharbhawan, Lalitpur: Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center.
Shrestha, P L and Neupane, F P. (2002) Socio-economic contexts on pesticide use in Nepal.
Landschaftsökologie und Umweltforschung, 38 pp 205-223.
Thapa, R. (1997) An overview of Pesticide pollution in Nepal. Nepalese Horticulture. pp 31-39.
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APPENDIX
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