{
  "id": 14593293,
  "title": "Madhya Pradesh Bans Highly Toxic Paraquat Pesticide Used To Dry Moong Crops, Orders Stock Recall Over Health Risks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/madhya-pradesh-bans-highly-toxic-paraquat-pesticide-used-to-dry-moong",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-15T02:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/madhya-pradesh-bans-highly-toxic-paraquat-pesticide-used-to-dry-moong-crops-orders-stock-recall-over-health-risks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Madhya Pradesh has taken decisive action to ban the use of Paraquat Dichloride, a highly toxic pesticide, in the state. Farmers have been illegally using this chemical to hasten the drying process of moong crops, which can lead to severe health issues such as kidney, liver, and brain damage, and even cancer. The Agriculture Welfare and Agriculture Development Department has issued an immediate directive for manufacturers to discontinue the sale and storage of this pesticide. Registered companies have been instructed to return the remaining stock to the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, and all stock must be destroyed according to the rules and regulations. The government has also taken steps to recall any remaining pesticide in circulation. This ban is in line with a nationwide prohibition on the registration of Paraquat Dichloride under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the cancellation of all previous registration certificates. The use of this pesticide is prohibited in over 70 countries worldwide. The recent protests by farmers have played a significant role in the government's decision to procure summer moong crops, as they faced health risks due to the use of Paraquat Dichloride.",
  "summary": "Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh government has banned the use of Paraquat Dichloride, a highly toxic pesticide allegedly used by farmers to dry moong crops within 24 to 72 hours of spraying. The chemical, which farmers were using despite restrictions imposed by the Centre, poses serious health risks, including damage to the kidneys, liver and brain. This pesticide is highly poisonous…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}