GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3921
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH MARCH, 2025
PESTICIDE RESIDUES TESTING
3921. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:

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

(a) the measures taken to expand national surveillance programmes and enhance laboratory capacities for pesticide residue testing across India;
(b) the manner in which the Government plan to tackle the issue of off-label and excessive pesticide use by farmers;
(c) the steps being taken to curb the sale and distribution of spurious and unregulated pesticides in the market;
(d) whether the Government plan to introduce incentives or subsidies for farmers adopting sustainable alternatives like bio-pesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM); and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (e): Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (RC) under Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) registers pesticides under the provisions of the Insecticide Act, 1968 for its manufacture and use in the country after ensuring the efficacy and safety to prevent risk to human beings or animals and issues certificate of registration only after fixation of Maximum Residue Limit (MRLs) by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). DA&FW is also implementing a project “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level (MPRNL)” to determine the levels of pesticide residues in food commodities such as vegetables, fruits, spices, cereals, pulses, herbs, tea and water etc. by collecting samples from different parts of the country by 35 participating laboratories for the possible
presence of pesticide residues and shares their report with all States for educating the farmers for use of approved pesticides on the crop as per dose prescribed on label and leaflet to control the use of off-label pesticides. FSSAI has notified 159 primary laboratories capable for testing of Pesticide Residues in food commodities and implements “Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratories” (SoFTeL) scheme to support laboratories for procurement of High End Equipment which helps in testing pesticide residues in food commodities. FSSAI has also deployed 285 Mobile Food Testing Labs across 35 States/UTs for on-site testing of food products. Central Government and State Governments have also appointed 12523 no. of Insecticide Inspectors to conduct inspections and collect pesticide samples from manufacturer’s premises and sale points to check the sale of spurious and unregulated pesticides, and ensure the availability of quality pesticides across the country.
Further, DA&FW, through its Central Integrated Pest Management Centers (CIPMCs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agriculture Departments, undertakes various training programs to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM), use of bio pesticides, and educate farmers for need-based & judicious use of chemical pesticides as per doses prescribed on label and leaflet as last resort only.