Lok Sabha Question No. 145 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Rise in Cancer Cases
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 145

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE   2 ND  JULY, 2019

## RISE IN CANCER CASES

- *145.    SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that there has been an exponential rise in cancer cases in Punjab due to excessive fertilizer use leading to its patients travelling to Bikaner by an Indian Railways train which is commonly referred to as 'Cancer Train';
- (b) if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Union Government has held discussion with the State Government to tackle the issue and if so, the details of any policy intervention;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  reduce  the  fertilizer  subsidy  or  invest  in research which could nurture safer alternatives; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA  SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 145  DUE FOR REPLY ON 2 ND  JULY, 2019.

(a) & (b): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that according to the Cancer Registry of Punjab, the incidence of cancer cases was 100-110 for every 100,000 individuals which is almost equal to the national average. The State Government of Punjab has  also  reported  that  the  consumption  of  fertilizer  has  no  link  with  prevalence  of  cancer disease in Punjab.

The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments to prevent and control cancer and to provide affordable and accessible care. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is  being  implemented      for  interventions  up  to  the  district  level  which  includes  awareness generation for Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level  institution  for  treatment.      Strengthening  of  Tertiary  Care  Cancer facilities  Scheme  is being implemented to support setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.

(c): The  Government  is  making  efforts  to  promote  judicious  use  of  fertilizers  with  the cooperation of State Governments. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) i.e. soil test based balanced and judicious use of   fertilizers (chemical,   bio-fertilizers,   organic manures like farm yard manure, compost, vermi-compost, green manure etc) is promoted to maintain soil health  and  its  productivity  through  Soil  Health  Card  (SHC)  scheme.  Educating  farmers through demonstrations, melas, and trainings is an integral part of the scheme.

The  Government  is  promoting  organic  farming  under  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in a cluster mode.   The farmer within a group can avail benefit to a maximum of 2 ha., and the limit of assistance is Rs.50, 000 per ha., out of which 62% i.e., Rs. 31,000 is given    as    incentives to    a farmer for   organic conversion,   organic inputs, on farm inputs,

-2- production infrastructure, etc., provided directly through DBT during the conversion period of 3 years. Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) promotes organic farming in the States of North Eastern India.

Government of Punjab launched a campaign during Kharif 2018 and Rabi 2018-19 to motivate the farmers for judicious use of fertilizer. In this connection, advertisements were published in print & electronic media.  Training camps were organized to motivate the farmer. This  yielded  fruitful  results  with  consumption  of  urea  being  reduced  by  0.90  lakh  MT  and D.A.P by 0.47 lakh MT as compared to the previous year.

(d) & (e): At present there is no proposal to reduce the fertilizer subsidy on urea.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is recommending a 4R's approach i.e. right quantity, right time, right mode and right type of fertilizer for judicious use of chemical fertilizers  and  to  reduce  their  use.    In  addition,  split  application,  use  of  slow  releasing fertilizers  including  neem  coated  urea  and  growing  leguminous  crops  are  also  advocated. ICAR also imparts training, organizes front-line demonstrations etc to educate farmers on all these aspects .

ICAR  through  its  Plan  Scheme  'Network  Project  on  Organic  Farming'  (NPOF) undertakes research to grow crops using only organic fertilizers. The Council has also developed improved technology for preparation of various types of organic manures such as phosphor-compost,  vermi-compost,  bio-enriched  compost,  municipal  solid  waste  compost, etc.  from  various  organic  wastes  (bio  gas  slurry  can  also  be  used).    Besides,  the  Council through its Plan Scheme 'Network Project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertilizers' has developed improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types.  Liquid Biofertilizer technology with higher shelf-life has also been developed.  Presently, the project is being implemented in 16 centres covering 14 States.

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