Lok Sabha Question No. 2928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Crop Loss due to Weeds, Insects and Diseases
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KAMAL NATH, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2928

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  13 TH  MARCH, 2018

## CROP LOSS DUE TO WEEDS, INSECTS AND DISEASES

2928.  SHRI KAMAL NATH:

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE      ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that weeds, insects and diseases are the three main biological factors responsible for losing crop yield and causing economic losses to the farmers across the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  quantum  of  agriculture  crops  losses  annually  due  to  weeds,  insects  and diseases across the country;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  since  taken  or  proposes  to  take  any  effective  steps  to protect farmer's produce from weeds, insects and diseases; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(  SHRI  GAJENDRA

- (a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Estimations suggest that on an average, crop losses vary from 1030% annually  due  to  weeds,  pests  and  diseases  across  the  country  (according  to  various reports/ publications). However, losses due to pest and diseases are not static and vary from year  to  year  depending  upon  the  prevailing  agro-climatic  conditions  (temperature,  humidity, rainfall) and other predisposing factors such as susceptible crop variety, Agronomic practices etc.
- (c) & (d): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing 'Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India' (SMPMA) Scheme through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) established across the country with an aim to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. CIPMCs inter alia, produce biological agents for release in the fields, conserve natural bio-control agents, promote bio-pesticides as an  alternative  to  chemical  pesticides  and  advocate  judicious  and  safe  use  of  chemical pesticides as a last resort. In addition, these CIPMCs organizes Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) to sensitize farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. In addition, Package of practices for control of pests and diseases in 87 crops have been revised to include techniques to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and encourage use of bio-pesticides and other alternative plant protection measures. Timely advisories are being issued by the Ministry to the State  Government  disseminating,  inter  alia  management  strategies  to  prevent  pests  attack. Furthermore, the State Governments through various forums such as Zonal Conferences and National  Conference  are  requested  to  exhort  their  extension  functionaries  to  educate  and impart  training  to  farmers  on  efficacious  and  sustainable  pest  management  strategies /approaches and to maintain constant surveillance.