PESTICIDES RESIDUES IN AGRICULTURAL CROPS IN NORTHERN DISTRICTS OF JORDAN IN 2010/2011

Eight hundred samples of both locally produced and imported agricultural products (400 samples for each) including fruits, vegetables, crops and medicinal plants were analyzed during 2010/2011. Locally produced samples were collected from the northern part of Jordan including Irbid, north Jordan Valley, Jerash, Ajloun and Mafraq. Imported samples were collected from the various importing zones at the Jordanian borders. Locally produced products showed that three samples were contained pesticide residues above the maximum residue limit (MRL), representing 0.75% of total locally produced samples. Thirty five samples were contained pesticides residues below the MRL which represent 8.75% of total locally produced samples. Imported products showed that only 45 samples were contained pesticides residues below the MRL, representing 11.25% of total imported samples.