Lok Sabha Question No. 2087 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Mechanism to Check Use of Fertilizers/Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Debasree Chaudhuri

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2087 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  MARCH, 2022

## MECHANISM TO CHECK USE OF FERTILIZERS/PESTICIDES

## 2087. MS DEBASREE CHAUDHURI:

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

- (a) Whether the Government proposes to constitute an effective monitoring mechanism to check  usage  of  chemical  fertilizers  and  pesticides  by  farmers  which  are  hazardous  to human lives by conducting surprise checks at the agriculture sites;
- (b) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)      the  various  steps  taken  by  Government  to  educate  the  farming  community  to discourage the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and opt for organic farming which would fetch better price in the market, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR) (a)  &  (b): The  colour  codes  of  pesticides red  label  with  skull  and  crossbones  &  POISON (Extremely Toxic), yellow label with POISON  without the skull and crossbones(Highly Toxic), blue label with DANGER(Moderately Toxic)  and green label with CAUTION(Slightly Toxic) are the mandatory labels employed on pesticide containers for identifying the level of toxicity of  the  pesticides.  (Insecticides  Act  of  1968  and  the  Insecticides  Rules  of  1971).  Sale  and usages  of  pesticides  are  regulated  by  State  Governments.    In  case  of  fertilizers  the Government of India has specified such fertilizers whose agronomic efficacy is well proven.

The  Government  of  India  encourages  the  balanced  and  integrated  use  of  fertilizers. Central and State Governments through their field agencies ensure that farmers are provided right knowledge/ information about recommended fertiliser and pesticide use. All the Farmers in the country are provided Soil test based crop specific recommendations about integrated and balanced use of fertilisers (chemical, bio and organic fertilisers) under Soil Health Card programme.   Trainings and demonstrations on INM are integral part of schemes like National Food Security Mission, and Soil Health Management (SHM).

(c): Financial assistance is provided to State Governments  for training of farmers, demonstrations on farmer fields and organizing farmers melas. Since 2015, around 6.45 lakh demonstrations, 93781 farmer's trainings and 7425 farmers melas are organized/conducted under the programme.

Further,  Government is promoting organic farming through dedicated schemes viz Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16. Both the schemes provide end to end support to organic farmers from organic production to certification and marketing including post harvest management support like processing, packaging, storage etc.

Under PKVY Scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50000/ha for 3 years in which, Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years is provided directly to farmers through DBT for organic inputs such as seeds, bio fertilizers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc. whereas under the MOVCDNER scheme,  a sum of Rs. 46,575/ha for 3years are provided for creation of FPO, support to farmers for organic inputs, quality seeds/ planting material and training, hand holding and certification. Besides, financial assistance is also provided as subsidy to FPOs and Private entrepreneurs.

To educate and to make the aware farming community on organic farming, States are training and handholding farmers through support agencies and organizing awareness camps on organic production, marketing, exposure visit etc. An amount of Rs 7500/ha for 3 years is provided  under  PKVY  for  this  purpose.  National  Centre  for  Organic  Farming  (NCOF),  a subordinate office of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), spreads awareness among farmers by organizing Jaivik Kisan sammelans,  field demonstration and farmers training on organic farming  and through print and also electronic media etc.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is also implementing the Sub-Mission on Plant Protection with a mandate to popularize the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through training and demonstration  in crops,  inter-alia  promotion  of  biological  control approaches in crop protection technology. The DPPQ&S, through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management  Centers  (CIPMCs)  in  different  States  and  UTs  popularize  the  IPM    through Farmer  Field  Schools  and  HRD  programs.  Central  Integrated  Pest  Management  Centers conduct  workshops,  group  meetings,  trainings,  various  HRD  programs  and  activities  to promote  the  use  of  bio-control  agents,  bio-pesticides  among  the  farming  community.  Bio- control agents are mass multiplied in laboratories and released in farmer fields, which reduce the pest infestation and thus avoid crop loss. Farmers are also trained on farm production of Biocontrol  agents,  Entomo-pathogens  and  antagonistic  fungi  &  bacteria  on  their  own  to reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides.

Further,  farmers  are  made  aware  about  conservation  of  natural  enemies  by  Central Integrated Pest Management Centers and mass multiplied bio-control agents are released in farmer fields for holistic management of pest & diseases.