Lok Sabha Question No. 3386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-16
Subject: Use of Antibiotics on Food Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3386

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th  MARCH, 2021

## USE OF ANTIBIOTICS ON FOOD CROPS

3386.   SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  facts  that  indiscriminate  use  of antibiotics on food crops in several parts of the country is leading to the development and spread of Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR) among the crops;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received complaints from various States in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  check  the  rampant  use  of antibiotics  on  food  crops  and promote  alternative  healthy  practices  by  the  farmers; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c): State Government of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Uttar  Pradesh,  Jharkhand,  Odisha,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Chhattisgarh,  Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Goa and Nagaland have reported that no cases related to indiscriminate use of antibiotics on food crops leading to development, spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among the crops have been noticed/reported in their States.

However, the Central Government had received a correspondence from the Government  of  Chhattisgarh,  regarding  clarification  on  the  strength  at  which  the combination  product  of  antibiotic  Streptomycin  Sulphate  +  Tetracycline  Hydrochloride (antibiotic) is registered. The Registration Committee constituted under the Insecticide Act,  1968 had provided the clarification to the State Government of Chhattisgarh that the  formulation  product  is  registered  as  Streptomycin  sulphate  90%  +  Tetracycline Hydrochloride  10%.    Further,  Registration  Committee  suo-moto  constituted  a  subcommittee to examine if the use of antibiotics in agriculture pose risk of development of resistance in human beings. The sub-committee has submitted its report which is under consideration of the Registration committee.

(d) & (e): Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing 'Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine' Scheme, under which Integrated Pest Management approach is being promoted to educate/orient farmers, pesticide dealers and extension officials about judicious use of chemical pesticides & antibiotics and to recommend their use as per the directions prescribed on label and leaflets. Integrated Pest  Management seeks  to  promote  cultural,  mechanical,  biological  methods  of  pest control and conservation of natural enemies, augmentation/release of bio-control agents in farmer fields for holistic management of pest & diseases. During last 3 years, 201819  to  2020-21  (upto  December  2020),  1526  farmers  field  school  and  241  HRD programs have been organized in the different states of India; wherein 62630 farmers, pesticides dealers and state officials have been trained on latest IPM technologies.

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