LUCKNOW, March 2 -- More than 95% of vegetables consumed by over 2.6 million residents in Lucknow are grown using pesticides and insecticides, according to traders at the city's wholesale market and farmers from supplying districts. While the produce appears large and shiny, farmers admit chemicals are used from sowing to harvesting.

At Navin Vegetables, Fruits and Galla Mandi in Triveni Nagar, traders said nearly the entire vegetable supply reaching the city is cultivated with pesticides. The mandi receives consignments from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and nearby districts such as Sitapur, Barabanki and Unnao.

Subhash Singh, secretary of Navin Vegetables, Fruits and Galla Mandi, said, "The supply of over 95% vegetables in the city is f...