Lok Sabha Question No. 2064 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Educational Qualifications for Pesticides Retailers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2064

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  14 TH  MARCH, 2017

## EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR PESTICIDES RETAILERS

2064.  SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  put  new  entrant  dealers/retailers  under  strict regulations  that  specify  educational  qualifications  to  get  a  licence  to  sell,  stock  or distribute chemicals used as vital inputs by farmers;
- (b) if so, the number of retailers/dealers likely to be effected by such moves;
- (c) whether the Government  has  exempted  existing  retailers  and dealers of pesticides/insecticides  from  the  said  mandatory  qualifications  norms  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) the further steps taken by the Government to provide right inputs/advise to the farmers regarding use of chemicals?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं  कसान  कयाण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã  ½ãñâ  Àã·¾ã  ½ãâ¨ããè (  SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a) & (b): The Central Government  vide notification, GSR 106(E), dated 01.02.2017 has amended sub rule (1A) of Rule 10 of The Insecticides Rule 1971 as under:-

Person who applies for the grant  of  license  to  sell,  stock  or  exhibit  for  sale  or distribute insecticides shall possess or employ a person possessing a graduate degree in Agricultural Sciences or Biochemistry or Biotechnology or Life Sciences or in Science with  Chemistry  or  Botany  or  Zoology  from  a  recognized  university  or  Institute  or  one year  diploma  course  in  Agriculture  or Horticulture or  related  subjects  from  any government  recognized  university  or  institute  with  course  content  on  plant  protection and pesticides management.

All the new entrant dealers/retailers need to have above mentioned qualifications.  However,  for  the  existing  dealers/retailers  a  period  of  two  years  have been given to comply with the said qualifications.

(c): Yes, the Notification, GSR 106(E), dated 01.02.2017 provides that the  existing licensee of pesticides, who are more than forty-five years of age and who have been running  their  trade  either  themselves  or  have  inherited  with  cumulative  period  of experience  of  more  than  ten  years  as  on  the  date  of  publication  of  these  rules  as amended  by  The  Insecticides  (Second  Amendment)  Rules,  2017  and  the  annual turnover is less than Rs. five lakh are exempted from the aforesaid rule for a period of licenceship continuing in their name.

(d): Under  the  provision  of  the  Insecticides  Act,  1968,  the  Central  and  State Government have notified 182 and 13403 number of Insecticides Inspectors respectively, to carry out inspection of manufacturing, storage and sale points etc., draw samples of pesticides and analyzed them with the help of notified Pesticide Analysts. Prosecution is initiated in competent courts of law in cases of violation of the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968. 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  bio-pesticides 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.

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