Lok Sabha Question No. 281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Use of Banned Insecticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: NANABHAU FALGUNRAO PATOLE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 281

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  JULY, 2017

## USE OF BANNED INSECTICIDES

## 281. SHRI NANA PATOLE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the use of banned insecticides beyond permissible limit in the food items, fruits  and  organic  vegetables  has  been  revealed  in  a  report  of  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers Welfare;
- (b) if so, the details thereof ;
- (c) the  details  of  the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  to  check  use  of  insecticides  beyond permissible limits as these affect nervous system, eyes and skin and causes diseases like cancer ; and
- (d) the various other steps taken by the Government to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and promote bio-fertilizers in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) & (b): The      Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  is  implementing  'Monitoring  of Pesticide Residues  at National  Level'  (MPRNL)  Scheme,  under  which  food  commodities  and environmental samples are collected and analysed for the presence of pesticide residues. None of the banned pesticides were detected under the MPRNL Scheme.
- (c): The  annual  report  of  the  MPRNL  are  being  shared  with  the  States  to  take  corrective  action against possible misuse of pesticides.  In addition, the Government is implementing 'Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India' through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres  (CIPMCs)  of  Directorate  of  Plant  Protection  Quarantine  and  Storage  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  biopesticides  as  an  alternative  to  chemical  pesticides  and  advocate  judicious  and  safe  use  of  chemical pesticides as a last resort. These activities are implemented through Farmers Field Schools (FFSs), 2 days and 5 days training programmes and season long training program for State Agriculture Extension Officers  and  NGOs /  Private  Bodies.  A  'Grow  Safe  Food'  campaign  has  been  initiated  disseminating message  of  safe  and  judicious  use  of  pesticides  to  farmers  and  other  stakeholders.  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.
- (d): The  Government  is  providing  financial  assistance  for  use  of  bio-fertilizer  through  various schemes/ programmes viz: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)/Paramparagat Krishi Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY),  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY),  Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of Horticulture  (MIDH),  National  Mission  on  Oilseeds  &  Oil  Palm  (NMOOP)  and  Network  Project  on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

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