Lok Sabha Question No. 3603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Use of banned Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3603 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## USE OF BANNED PESTICIDES

3603.  SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:(a)  whether the Government is aware that several banned pesticides are being used in the production/cultivation  of  crops,  fruits  and  vegetables  thereby  having  an  adverse  impact  on human health, livestocks and soil, if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken thereon; (b)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  promote  the  use  of  bio-pesticides  under the Integrated  Pest  Management  Approach  which  employs  cultural,  mechanical  and biological    methods  of  pest  control  in  various  States  including  Bihar  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; (c)  whether the Government is considering to develop bio-pesticides by using bioslurry which is an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides; and

(d)   the  details  of  the  various  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  use  of  biopesticides/bio-fertilizers in the Country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (d): Pesticides are regulated by pesticides are governed by these regulations. The Central Government and

- the Insecticides Act, 1968 (the Act) and Insecticides Rules, 1971. All aspects from the manufacture, import, storage, sale, distribution, use, etc of State Governments  have  appointed  11287  of  Insecticide  Inspectors  to  ensure  the  availability  of quality pesticides and check the sale of banned pesticides. 80,789 pesticide samples were analyzed in the pesticide testing laboratories during the year 2023-24, and out of which 2,222 pesticide  samples  were  found  to  be  substandard  which  is  2.7%  of  total  samples  and appropriate  legal  action  has  been  initiated.  However,  no  banned  pesticides  were  found  in these samples.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a strategy that employs cultural, mechanical  and biological  methods of pest control is promoted through Central Integrated Pest Management Centers  (CIPMCs),  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs),  and  State  Agriculture  Departments. Various trainings are conducted to create awareness among farmers for promoting use of bio pesticides, bio control agents and botanical formulations as alternative to chemical pesticides, and on safe and judicious use of chemical pesticides. Also, CIPMC's bio-control laboratories produce various bio-pesticides and bio-control agents. So  far,  1930  Farmers  Field  Schools  (FFSs),  536  two  days/five  days  HRD  programs were carried out and 62235 & 26985 of farmers/pesticide dealers respectively were trained from 2019-20 to 2024-25, in all the states including Bihar. Further, 1897 Safe & Judicious use of pesticides awareness campaigns were conducted from 2019-20 to 2024-25 to train 64427 farmers. For promotion of Bio-fertilizers/organic fertilizers, a new component, ' biofertilizers  network  production  units '

development of has  been  included  under  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikash Yojana.  Under  phase-II  of  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  (SBM),  the  Liquid  Fermented  Organic Manure (LFOM)/ Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) produced by the Compressed Bio Gas plants  is  being  provided  Market  Development  Assistance  (MDA)  @  Rs  1500/MT  to  boost production. Government is also promoting Integrated Nutrient Management, which includes the  use  of  organic  manure  as  well  as  biofertilizers  along  with  conventional  synthetics fertilizers under Soil Health scheme.

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