Lok Sabha Question No. 227 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-10
Subject: Neem Based Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 227 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10/05/2016

## NEEM BASED PESTICIDES

## *227. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  agricultural  scientists  have  developed  neem  based  pesticides which  are  more  effective  in  controlling  pests  and  are  much  safer  than  chemical pesticides, especially neem coated urea and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government aims to popularize the use of such pesticides in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  export  such pesticides to other countries?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

(a) to (c)

: A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 227 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10/05/2016 REGARDING 'NEEM BASED PESTICIDES'

(a) Yes, Madam.  Scientists in Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), have done  significant  work  on  characterization  of  properties  and  utilization  of  Neem  for agricultural use.

ICAR  has  also  developed  the  technologies  of  making  technical  azadirachtin concentrates, formulations based thereupon and based on neem oil for use as pesticides. These technologies have been licensed to Industries like Ozone Biotech, Faridabad and Jai  Chemicals,  Faridabad,  who in turn have  commercialized several azadirachtin based pesticide  formulations  such  as,  Ozo-Aza,  Ozo-Rakshak,  Jaineem,  etc  effective  in management of pests.  The neem technology is a success story of the ICAR-IARI and various other Institutes.

So far Govt of India has registered 9 neem based formulations as pesticides for management of diseases, insect pests and mosquitoes under Insecticide Act 1968.

However, the neem coated urea (NCU) as indicated is not used as pesticide . Neem coating in urea acts to regulate the release of the fertilizer, thereby preventing loss through  volatilization/  leaching  resulting  into  air/  ground-water  pollution.    Research  in ICAR has shown that in NCU this loss is reduced by 10-15% and result in increase in rice grain yield from 6.3-11.9%.

(b) Yes, Madam.  Neem based pesticides are a key component of all Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols developed by the ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities, which in turn are included in the National IPM packages.

Besides,  commercial  formulations  farmers  are  also  trained  and  encouraged  by ICAR  Institutes  and  other  organizations  for  use  of  crude  extracts  of  neem  for  pest management.

Government is implementing the eco-friendly IPM through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centers (CIPMCs), Department of Plant Quarantine and Storage and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), across the country.

The  activities  are  implemented  through  Farmer  Field  Schools  (FFSs),  Kisan Melas, 2-5 days training programmes and season long training programmes for the State Agriculture Extension Officers and NGOs/private bodies.

During 2015-16, a total of 641 FFSs were organized wherein, 19,230 farmers were trained.

Through its order dated 25 th May 2015, Govt. of India has made it mandatory for all  the  indigenous  manufacturers  of  urea  to  produce  100%  of  their  total  production  of subsidized urea as NCU.

Accordingly, ICAR has directed all its crop production research to be conducted using NCU.

(c) Government of India has been exporting significant amount of its neem seed oil, technical  azadirachtin  concentrates,  and  formulations  for  years  to  several  countries around the world for use as pesticides.

The following steps have been undertaken to boost export of neem oil and neem based bio-pesticides:-

1. Simplified the registration of neem based formulations.
2. Neem formulation industries experiencing modernization.
3. Motivating Neem plantations and enhancing the efficiency of oil extraction.

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