Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Use of Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE
Asked by: ARKA KESHARI DEO, P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER, NAGARAJAN P., GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, C. N. JAYADEVAN, R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN, KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & COOPERATION

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.169**

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  21 ST JULY, 2015

**USE OF PESTICIDES**

169. 	SHRI ARKA KESHARI DEO:

SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:

SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.:

SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE 	     कृषि मंत्री

be pleased  to state:

(a) 	whether the Government is aware that many hazardous pesticides like endosulfan, DDT, carbofuran and monocrotophos which are banned or restricted in several countries are still being used in the production of agricultural produce, fruits and vegetables which adversely affects the human health, soil and livestocks;

(b) 	if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the number of deaths reported due to use of hazardous pesticides during the last one year;

(c)	 whether the Government proposes to ban the production, sale and consumption of these pesticides for agriculture purposes and if so, the details thereof;

(d) 	whether the Government has launched any awareness programme to educate the farmers regarding judicious use of chemical fertilizers/pesticides and promote production of bio-fertilizers in the country; and

(e) 	if so, the details thereof?

### 1 ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

कृषि मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री  (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) & (b):	No, Madam.  There is no such report about hazardous pesticides like Endosulfan, DDT, Carbofuran and Monocrotophos which are banned or restricted, are used in production of agricultural produce, fruits and vegetables.

(c):	The Government has already banned/ restricted these pesticides. The details of the same are as follows:

1. Endosulfan   has   been    banned  by   the   Supreme   Court of India w.e.f. 13-05-2011 for production, use & sale, all over India, till further orders.

Contd…2/-

-2-

2. Use of DDT in Agriculture is withdrawn. The use of DDT for the domestic Public Health Programme is restricted up to 10,000 Metric Tonnes per annum, except in case of any major outbreak of epidemic. M/s Hindustan Insecticides Ltd., the sole manufacturer of DDT in the country.

1. Carbofuran 50% SP has been banned for import, manufacture and use.
2. Monocrotophos is banned for use on vegetables from 10 th Oct, 2005.

(d) & (e):	 	The Government of India is promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach as an ecologically desirable alternative to chemical pesticides and judicious use of chemical pesticides is recommended as a measure of last resort. Central Integrated Pest Management Centres(CIPMCs) are organizing Farmers’ Field schools, short and long duration training programs for Farmers. A ‘Grow Safe Food’ campaign has been initiated to carry the message of safe and judicious use of pesticides to farmers and other stakeholders.  A simple message on the five essential principles of judicious pesticide use - application of pesticides on the right crop, against pests for which the pesticide has been approved, at the right time, in approved doses, and as per approved method of application - is sought to be conveyed through hoardings, banners etc. in regional languages in Gram Panchayats and rural areas. Advisories have been sent to pesticides dealers through State Governments to stock and distribute/ sell approved pesticides, and to advise farmers to follow instructions on label and leaflets of pesticides.

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