Lok Sabha Question No. 2614 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Frequent use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2614

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## FREQUENT USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES

2614.  SHRI  THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN:

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

(a) whether it is a fact that the frequent use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides on Environment to yield more agriculture produce results in very hazardous effect on human health and destroy human life also; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether  the  Union  Government  has  ever  assessed  the  effect  of  frequent  use  of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides on Environment and human health; (d) if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Union Government has find out the alternative ways to rationalize the frequent use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides on Environment; and

- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): Chemical  fertilizers  used  judiciously  as  per    recommended  doses  are  not harmful.  Government  promotes  judicious  use  of  fertilizer  through  Soil  Health  &  Fertility scheme.  The  scheme  provides  Soil  Health  Cards  (SHCs)  for  farm  holdings,  to  promote balanced  and  integrated  nutrient  management  for  improving  productivity  and  soil  fertility. Soil samples are processed as per standard procedures and analyzed for parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, and micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese & Boron). The diagnostic soil health  assessment  of farmer fields  is  taken  up periodically  so  as  to  issue  SHCs  at least once  in  3  years.  Since  2014-15,  25.61  crore  Soil  Health  Cards  have  been  generated  till date.  Under  the  scheme,  Rs.  1970  Crore  has  been  released  since  inception.  93,  781

farmers'  trainings,  6.80  lakh  demonstrations,  7425  farmer's  melas/  campaigns  on  SHC have been organized across the country.

The  Registration  Committee,  constituted  under  Section  5  of  the  Insecticides  Act,  1968 registers pesticides after considering its efficacy and safety to human beings, animals and environment. Pesticides used as per the approved label claims and leaflets are unlikely to cause any harm. In addition, technical reviews are carried out from time to time to assess the safety of pesticides for their continued use.

(e) & (f): The  Government  of  India  has  notified  Organic  fertilizers,  Bio-fertilizers,  Deoiled  cake,  Organic  Carbon  Enhancer and  Nano fertilizer  in  The  Fertilizer  Control  Order, 1985 to ensure quality sale of these fertilizers. Government is promoting Natural Farming and  Organic  Farming  as  alternatives  to  chemical  farming  for  sustainable  agriculture  and human  wellbeing.  Organic  farming  in  the  country  is  implemented  through  Paramparagat Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  in  all  the  States/UTs  other-than  North  Eastern  States,  and Mission  Organic  Value  Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region  (MOVCDNER) exclusively for North Eastern region. Farmers are provided assistance from production to marketing  under  the  organic  farming  schemes.  Further,  the  National  Mission  on  Natural Farming (NMNF) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 25.11.2024 to promote Natural Farming  across  the  country.  The  Mission  has  been  initiated  to  strengthen  agriculture practices  with  scientifically  backed  agro  ecological  approaches  towards  sustainability, climate resilience and safe food.

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