Lok Sabha Question No. 118 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Use of Toxic Chemical Paraquat Dichloride by Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 118

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2024

## USE OF TOXIC CHEMICAL PARAQUAT DICHLORIDE BY FARMERS

*118.  SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:(a) the details of current guidelines and restrictions in place for the safe use of paraquat dichloride  considering  its  recognized  toxicity  and  associated  health  risks  to  humans and animals; (b) the steps undertaken to educate farmers on safe handling practices for paraquat dichloride,  particularly  in  rural  areas  where  protective  equipment  and  training  are limited; (c) whether there is an ongoing review of paraquat dichloride's usage in light of its ban in various other countries and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the details of initiatives underway to identify and promote safe alternatives to paraquat

- dichloride and the support extended to farmers for transition to these alternatives?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN) (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.  118  DUE  FOR  REPLY  ON  3 RD   DECEMBER,  2024 REGARDING USE OF TOXIC CHEMICAL PARAQUAT DICHLORIDE BY FARMERS.

(a) & (c): The  Government  of  India  regulates  the  manufacture  and  the  use  of Pesticides  in  the  country  through  comprehensive  legislation  known  as  Insecticides  Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971 and pesticides are allowed for use in the country only after  considering  data  on  different  parameters  such  as  chemistry,  bio-efficacy,  toxicity, packaging and processing to ensure efficacy and safety to human beings, animals and environment.  The  details  of  doses,  crops,  precautionary  measures,  antidotes  etc  are prescribed on Label and Leaflets of pesticides. The registered pesticides if used as per Label  and  Leaflets  do  not  pose  any  harm  to  human  beings,  animals,  environment  and living organisms other than pests.

Further,  Registration  Committee  (RC)  constituted  u/s  5  of  the  Insecticides  Act, 1968, in its 361st RC meeting held on 22.12.2015, deliberated the recommendations of Dr.  Anupam  Verma  Committee  to  review  66  pesticides  including  Paraquat  Dichloride which  are  currently  banned/restricted/  withdrawn  in  other  countries,  and  accepted  its continued  use  with  caution,  improved  packaging  to  prevent  misuse,  and  training  for medical  personnel  to  handle  poisoning  cases.  Further,  a  sub-committee  has  been constituted on the directions of Government of India to review the toxicity and safety of Paraquat dichloride.

(b) & (d): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras  (KVKs),  Central  Integrated  Pest  Management  Centers  (CIPMCs),  and  State Agriculture Departments, undertakes various training programs, including Farmers Field Schools (FFS), two-day and five-day HRD programs, and 30-day Season-Long Training Programs (SLTP), to educate and train farmers, state agriculture extension functionaries, and  pesticide  dealers  on  the  safe  handling  practices  of  pesticides,  including  Paraquat dichloride. The need-based, judicious use of pesticides, as per the label and leaflets, is advocated as a last resort. The promotion of bio-pesticides for managing crop pests is also emphasized. Further, simplified guidelines have been formulated by the RC for the registration  of  bio-pesticides,  along  with  permission  for  commercialization  during  the provisional registration period of two years.

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