Lok Sabha Question No. 112 (STARRED), answered on 2021-02-09
Subject: Access to Generic Agricultural Inputs
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Prataprao  Jadhav

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

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 112

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  9 TH    FEBRUARY, 2021

## ACCESS TO GENERIC AGRICULTURAL INPUTS

## †*112.    SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  make  available  generic  manure, fertilizers,  seeds,  etc.  to  the  farmers  at  cheaper  prices  by  carrying  out  research  in  the agricultural sector on the lines of generic medicines and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has received requests from public representatives in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA  SINGH TOMAR)

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

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 112   DUE FOR REPLY ON 9 TH  FEBRUARY, 2021.

(a) to (d): One  representation  has  been  received  from  Hon'ble  Member  of  Parliament (Lok Sabha) with the request therein to provide generic fertilizers, manure, pesticides, seeds etc.  to  fertilisers  at  cheaper  prices.  In  this  connection,  details  of  the  existing  position  and action being taken are as under:-

## (i) Pesticides

In the present Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Rules 1971, the term generic pesticides does not exist. However, the registration under section 9(4) are considered as repeat registrations of already registered pesticides in the country. The Repeat registrations are being granted on simplified  requirements  and  on  same  conditions  as  has  been  granted  to  the  original registrant.  This  provision  enables  the  competition  among the  manufacturers and  importers and thereby reducing the prices of pesticides as agriculture input for the farmers.

However, in the Pesticide Management Bill 2020, introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 23.03.2020, specific provision for generic pesticides has been provided.

## (ii) Fertilizers and Manure

Fertilisers  have  been  specified  under  Fertiliser  (Control)  Order,  1985  (FCO)  as  per  their general chemical name or as per their grades or by their general name. All the manufacturers are required to produce fertilisers as per their general specifications prescribed in FCO only. Hence, fertilisers are not notified under their brand name in FCO.

It  is  the  endeavour  of  the  Government to provide  good  quality fertilisers at  the  reasonable price. To achieve this objective, subsidy is being provided on Urea and 22 grades of  P&K fertilizers.

## (iii) Seeds

Sub Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP) is being implemented from the year 2014-15  to  promote  production  of  quality  seeds  of  agriculture  crops  so  that  the  required quantity  of  seeds  could  be  made  available  to  the  farmers  in  the  country.  The  financial assistance is available/provided for different seed related activities through schemes/components  of  SMSP  for  the  welfare  of  farmers  in  the  country.  Assistance  for quality seed production and procurement is also provided under schemes of National Food Security  Mission  (NFSM),  Mission  for  Integrated  Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH), Paramparaghat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) etc.

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