Lok Sabha Question No. 1555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Bio-Pesticides in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Darshana Vikram Jardosh

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1555

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2020

## BIO-PESTICIDES IN AGRICULTURE

1555.  SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate a concrete policy to promote the use of bio-pesticides in agriculture so as to enhance the production of toxic/chemical free agri-products in the country and to provide health and natural food to the people of the country;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to formulate a concrete policy to enhance Research and Development activities in bio-pesticides sector;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  India  is  complying  with  the  International  quality  standards  in  bio-pesticide sector; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the concrete reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a) & (b): To promote the use of bio pesticides in agriculture, Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee has formulated simplified guidelines for registration of bio pesticides as compared to chemical pesticides. During Provisional registration granted under Section 9 (3B) of  the  Insecticides  Act,  1968,  the  applicant  is  allowed  to  commercialize  the  bio-pesticide product, unlike chemical pesticides.

Government of India through organic farming schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana  (PKVY)  and  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region (MOVCDNER) aims for sustainable agriculture production with eco-friendly process in tune with nature, promoting organic inputs and produce chemical free agriculture produce for improving the health condition of the people.

Further,  use  of  bio-pesticides  is  promoted  by  educating  farmers  through  Farmer Field schools and Human Resource Development programmes (2 & 5 days) under Integrated Pest  Management  approach.  The  bio-pesticides  ( Trichoderma,  Metazhizium,  Beauveria etc.) are also multiplied in the Central and State Government laboratories and distributed to farmers.

(c) & (d):    To enhance Research and Development activities in bio-pesticides sector, Indian Council  of  Agriculture  Research  (ICAR)  is  implementing  various  research  programmes  in different crops like Rice, cotton, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, fruit crops, in which use of biopesticides are recommended.

Indian  Council  of  Agriculture  Research  (ICAR)  has  identified  and  field  tested several  entomopathogenic    fungi  and  nematodes  as  bio-pesticides  for  the  eco-friendly management  of  pests  and  diseases.  A  large  number  of  bio-control  agents  and  their technologies have been commercialized and are available in market.

(e)  &  (f):      The  bio-pesticides  are  tested  through  08  laboratories  including  those  of  National Institute of Plant Health Management, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and State Agriculture Universities as per the International quality standards.

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