ECONOMIC ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE RISKS OF PESTICIDES RESIDUES IN TOMATO AND ORANGE CROPS

The research aims to study pesticide residues on tomatoes and oranges to improve and develop the management of integrated control programs, reduce economic losses and do not harm human health, To achieve this, the research relied on the results of the sample data collected from some local markets of some governorates of the Republic, Pesticide residues were evaluated and potential risks assessed for food containing pesticide residues exceeding the maximum allowable limit for each crop. The most important results of the study: - The results of the analysis of the sample of the study, which included 83 samples, tomatoes yield 44 samples, oranges 39 samples, showed that the number of samples free of pesticide residues 18 samples represent 21.7% of the total samples, The number of samples contaminated with pesticide residues was 65 samples representing 78.3% of the total samples. The number of samples exceeding the maximum allowable residues (MRLs) of 13 pesticides represented 20% of the total samples contaminated with pesticide residues. - The results showed that tomato and orange crops had high pollution levels of pesticides residues. The total number of samples contaminated with pesticide residues for tomato harvest was 34 samples from 44 samples, 77.3%, while 31 samples from 39 samples were estimated at 79.5 Which indicates the excessive use of pesticides on these crops. Recommendations: 1- To tighten control of pesticides that are not allowed to be used and to track smuggled pesticides to prevent their circulation in local markets. 2- Continued pesticide residue monitoring programs in all food products to provide and update a database through which future strategies for pest control and consumer protection can be implemented through random exposure to pesticides. 3- Directing the producers of the Oranges to rationalize the use of pesticides because they use large amounts and different types of pesticides, which leads to pollution of the crop and thus causing significant economic losses.