BHERIGANGA, March 10 -- The Karnali province government has initiated a campaign aimed at discouraging the use of pesticides in farming.

The 'pesticides-free week' has been organized in order to raise public awareness against the harmful impact of pesticides, considering its increasing use by the farmers.

Initiating the campaign, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Bhim Prakash Sharma, said village-level awareness programmes should be conducted to free Karnali from the use of chemicals in crops and vegetables.

Heart and kidney patients are increasing of late and use of pesticides may be the reason behind it, Minister Sharma added.

Secretary at the Ministry, Dr Narahari Prasad Ghimire, said the use of pesticides...