Lok Sabha Question No. 100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Use of Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, Shrirang Appa Barne, DHARMENDRA YADAV, (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & COOPERATION

**LOK  SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 100**

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST JULY, 2015

**USE OF PESTICIDES**

100. 	SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE 	      कृषि मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether it is a fact that Indians consume largest amount of pesticides in the world;

(b)	 if so, whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the pesticide content among various agricultural produce, if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(c) 	whether significant reduction was observed in the quality of export of spices due to pesticide residues, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) 	whether the Government has any control over the sale of pesticides at the retail level;

(e)	 if so, whether there are multiple Government agencies to control and regulate pesticide usage in the country, if so, whether there is coordination among these agencies and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) 	the steps taken by the Government to check the pesticide contents and to regulate pesticide usage?

### 1 ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

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

(a):	No, Madam.  As per the latest data available with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

(b):	The Government is implementing a scheme “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level” since 2005-06.  Under the Scheme, samples of various agricultural produce are analyzed for the possible presence of pesticide residues and advisories are issued to the State Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders.  Currently, there are 25 Pesticide Residues Analysis Laboratories functioning across the country under Ministry of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of

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Environment and Forest, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizer, Ministry of Commerce and State Agricultural Universities.  The samples are collected at farm gate as well as from the market for analyzing the possible presence of pesticide residues.  Based on the detection of residues, advisories are issued to the State Agriculture Department and other stakeholders.

(c):	 Non judicious/Indiscriminate use of Pesticides in spices poses an obstacle in export of spices as major consuming countries are imposing stringent quality restrictions.  The Spices Board has set up Regional Quality Evaluation Laboratories in major exporting/growing centres to ensure the quality of spices exported matches the specified international standards.  In addition to the above, Spices Board undertakes various programmes for providing training and financial assistance to farmers.

(d) & (e):	Under the Provision of Insecticides Act 1968, the retailers have to obtain license from State Agriculture Department for sale, stock or exhibit for sale or for distribution of any insecticide.  The Central as well as State Governments exercises quality control by drawing and analyzing pesticide samples and prosecuting offenders.

(f):	The Government is implementing a Scheme; “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level” since 2005-06.  Under the Scheme, samples of various agricultural produce are analyzed for the possible presence of pesticide residues and advisories are issued to the State Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders.  Awareness among the farmers and other stakeholders are created through Farmers Field Schools, small and large training programmes which are conducted by Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs).  A “Grow safe food” campaign has been launched conveying message on various aspects of pesticides management to farmers.

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