Lok Sabha Question No. 1770 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-16
Subject: Reduction in use of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Dhal Singh Bisen

## MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1770 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 16.12.2022

## Reduction in use of Chemicals and Fertilizers

## 1770+ DR: DHAL SINGH BISEN:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the adverse effects of chemicals and fertilizers used in agricultural production on humans and biodiversity; and
- (b) the steps takenlproposed to be taken to reduce dependency on chemicals and fertilizers in agricultural production?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a): Indiscriminate & excess use of chemical  pesticides in agriculture is well documented which has resulted in several associated adverse effects such as human health concerns, environmental pollution, ecological imbalances, pesticides residues in soil & water.

Moreover, as per the report tabled in the Parliament by the Ministry of Agri. & Farmer's Welfare in 2018, about 272 farmers farm workers died in four years owing to pesticides poisoning: As highlighted in the report, the main reason for the deaths was lack of safety measures adopted at the time of spraying/dusting of the pesticides. Some of the other reasons were reported as using the pesticides in excess quantity than recommended and some at place, it was mixed with other pesticides.

Department of Fertilizer has not conducted any study for ascertaining adverse effects of fertilizers used in agricultural production on humans and biodiversity.

- (b): HIL(India) Limited, the CPSU under admin control of Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals with the financial support of DCPC under CPDS (Chemicals Promotion and Development Scheme) is regularly organizing farmers   training programme in different parts of the country to create awareness amongst farming community on the "Safe and Judicious Use of Agrochemicals and Promoting the IPM activities HIL is educating farmers about safety measures required at the time of dusting spraying of the pesticides, selection of right type of pesticides for each crop, use in appropriate quantity at appropriate time and to procure the same from genuine sources. HIL has trained 60000 Nos of farmers through 106 Nos of Farmer Training Programme across the country in last four years HIL is also exploring the possibilities of setting up of bio-pesticide plant to promote IPM.

To reduce dependency on fertilizers in agricultural production, Government has been implementing Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) schemes to promote organic farming since 2015-16. PKVY is implemented in all the States and Union Territories across the country to promote organic farming in cluster mode. Under the PKVY scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs S000O/ha for 3 years in which, Rs 31000/ha/3 years is provided directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for organic inputs such as seeds, bio fertilizers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compostIvermi-compost; botanical extracts, etc. Under PKVY scheme, Government is providing assistance for training and capacity building of farmers on organic farming 7500/halfarmer/3 years. A low cost Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification has been launched by Government for development of domestic organic market: Under the Scheme, farmers are assisted 2700/ha/3 years for certification. In addition, assistance is provided @8800/ha/3years for value addition, marketing and brand building: Under MOVCDNER scheme, assistance is provided Rs.  32500/ha/3 years to farmers for procurementlon-farm production organic inputs Further, use of Nano Urea is being promoted through different activities such as awareness camps, webinars, nukkad nataks , field demonstrations, kisan sammelans and films in regional languages, etc.