THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralites turned to organic vegetables after realizing the danger of pesticide poisoned vegetables. However farmers have resorted to pesticides and chemicals as the farming costs went up. But the sale boards at shops read the same-‘organic vegetables available’, with doubled rates.

Losses incurred due to floods have also resulted in farmers resorting to dangerous chemicals. Also organic pesticides are not available according to requirement. Some organic fertilizers are not effective enough. Malayalis stopped buying fruits from other states due to the use of chemicals on them. But the poison level in vegetables in Kerala is much higher, warns health experts.

The chemical content in pesticides can lead to serious stomach diseases, liver ailments and even cancer. Pesticides that were banned made a re-entry into the market using fake names.

Awareness against poisonous vegetables began in 2014-15 which lead to organic vegetable revolution. There was a steady increase in vegetable production in 2015. If that enthusiasm had sustained throughout, that would have produced 75 percent of state’s needs.

If chemical pesticides are used above the recommended level pests of next generation is likely to develop stronger immunity. In pesticides with stronger poison, danger signs like red triangle will be labeled.

After the death of two due to pesticide posioning, rumors and posts were doing rounds on social media that claims that rice is not edible are baseless. Paddy is battered before it is made into rice. Cooking will remove pesticide content. However vegetables are not like that. Vegetable products sprayed with pesticides reach markets the very next day. Chilly, curry leaves and coriander leaves are the ones with dangerous levels of poison.