# Pesticide residues found in 58 food samples in Kerala: Minister 2026-08-10T07:55:59+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique said on Monday that 58 of 1,262 food samples tested at official labs, including Vellayani and Mannuthy, contained excessive pesticide residues and toxic substances. He called the finding 'extremely serious' and announced steps to promote organic vegetable farming, including the Kathir project to set up farming clubs in 500 schools this year, with Rs 10,000 per school. The government also plans to open 2,000 vegetable markets under the Agriculture Department for the Onam season, with Rs 10.5 crore allocated to curb price hikes. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com - thefederal.com Tags: agriculture, food safety, Kathir project, Kerala, organic farming, pesticide residues Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pesticide-traces-found-in-58-food-samples-in-kerala-minister-says/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pesticide-traces-found-in-58-food-samples-in-kerala-minister-says/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.