GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3577
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2024
CHECK ON CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES USED IN CULTIVATION
3577. SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government keeps a check on various chemicals and pesticides being extensively used in cultivation of rice grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is a governmental portal for registering complaints pertaining to presence of harmful chemicals in the food items; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) implements the various provisions of Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticide Rules, 1971 to ensure the supply of quality pesticides to the farmers in the country. 11287 Insecticide Inspectors are appointed by Central and State governments to keep check on various chemicals and pesticides being extensively used in cultivation of rice grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables. 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 ubstandard which is 2.7% of total samples and appropriate legal action has been initiated. “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level (MPRNL)” project has 35 pesticide residue testing laboratories across the country. Samples of food commodities such as vegetable, fruits, pulses and grain are taken from various Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee markets, local markets, farm gate, and surface water from intensive agricultural fields which are tested for pesticide residues. During 2019-2024, total 1, 39,242 samples of food commodities were tested.
The Complaints/concerns of consumers and Food Business Operators (FBOs) are received by FSSAI through various channels (Web Portal & Mobile App, FSSAI Helpline, What Sapp, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and are directed into a single portal i.e Food Safety Connect Portal.