Lok Sabha Question No. 309 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-19
Subject: Use of Pesticides in Agriculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 309

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH   JULY, 2016

## USE OF PESTICIDES IN AGRICULTURE

309.   SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the excessive use of pesticides in agriculture which are adversely affecting the quality of soil in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any programme is being implemented by the Government to reduce usage of chemical pesticides in agriculture;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  mechanism  established  by  the  Government  for  testing  and  monitoring  pesticides before their use for agriculture purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) & (b): The Central Government   monitors pesticides residues in various agricultural commodities etc. under the central scheme 'Monitoring of Pesticides Residues at National Level'  (MPRNL).  In  the  previous  year  only  2.9  %  of  all  the  samples  of  commodities contained  pesticide  residues  above  the  Maximum  Residues  Limits  (MRLs)  fixed  by  the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
- (c) & (d): The  Government  is  implementing  'Strengthening  and  Modernization  of  Pest Management Approach in India' through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) of Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage established across the country with an aim to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. CIPMCs inter alia, produce biological agents for release in the fields, conserve natural bio-control agents, promote bio-pesticides as an alternative to chemical pesticides and advocate judicious and safe use of chemical pesticides as a last resort. These activities are implemented through Farmers Field Schools (FFSs), 2 days and 5 days training programmes and season long training  program  for  State  Agriculture  Extension  officers  and  NGOs  /  Private  Bodies.  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 related to 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 disseminated in regional languages in Gram Panchayats and rural areas. Package of practices  for  control  of  pests  and  diseases  in  79  crops  have  been  revised  to  include techniques  to  reduce  dependence  on  chemical  pesticides  and  encourage  use  of  biopesticides and other alternative plant protection measures.

(e): The Government registers pesticides only after a detailed evaluation of safety and efficacy  to  human,  animal  and  environmental  health.  Under  the  Insecticides  Act,  1968, evaluation  is  conducted  on  the  following  four  parameters:  (i)  Chemistry  (ii)  Bio-  efficacy (iii) Toxicity (iv) Packaging.  Further, technical reviews are carried out from time to time and continued use of pesticides is permitted only if found safe.

In addition, Monitoring of quality of pesticides is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments. Central Government and State Governments have notified 168 and 11,229 Insecticides Inspectors respectively to check sale of misbranded pesticides. Insecticide samples are drawn on regular basis and analyzed in 68 State Pesticides Testing Laboratories (SPTLs) and at the two Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories at Chandigarh  and  Kanpur.  Action  against  misbranded  Samples  is  initiated  under  the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968.

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