Are We Eating Food or Chemicals? A Reality Check from Our Farms

In April 2025, during field visits to 105 mango farms in Sri Sathya Sai District, Andhra Pradesh, a disturbing reality emerged about the food we consume daily. Out of all these farms, only one was practicing organic farming. The remaining 104 farms relied heavily on chemical pesticides and insecticides to manage pests and diseases. Within just four months, most farmers applied 8–9 pesticide sprays, and in some cases up to 12 sprays, especially to control honeydew-producing insects. One widely used chemical was Lambda-based insecticides, whose residue can remain on fruits for up to 20 days. Yet harvesting often takes place before this waiting period ends, meaning chemical residues may still be present when the fruit reaches consumers.

This issue is not limited to mango alone. Similar spraying practices are common in pomegranate orchards, a fruit often recommended by doctors to improve immunity and overall health. Despite its “health food” image, pomegranate fields typically receive one to two pesticide sprays at regular intervals of every week. The same pattern exists across Grapes,Vegetables Okra ,Tomato,Chilli etc. What reaches our plates today is often the result of repeated chemical applications rather than natural cultivation. While these chemicals may help maintain yield and appearance, their long-term cumulative impact on human health—including immunity, hormonal balance, and chronic diseases—remains largely ignored.

It is important to note that farmers are not the problem. Most depend on chemicals due to rising pest pressure, lack of effective natural alternatives, market demands for blemish-free produce, and limited institutional support for organic or natural farming. The real challenge lies in our food system, which prioritizes quantity and visual quality over safety and sustainability. Addressing this requires stronger residue monitoring, promotion of natural and organic farming, assured markets for chemical-free produce, and greater consumer awareness about how food is grown. If we truly believe that “food is medicine,” then it is time we question what is being mixed into that medicine. The future of public health depends on how urgently we act—today, not tomorrow.