GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3603
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2024
USE OF BANNED PESTICIDES
3603. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

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

(a) whether the Government is aware that several banned pesticides are being used in the production/cultivation of crops, fruits and vegetables thereby having an adverse impact on human health, livestocks and soil, if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken thereon;

(b) whether the Government is considering to promote the use of bio-pesticides under the Integrated Pest Management Approach which employs cultural, mechanical and biological methods of pest control in various States including Bihar and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is considering to develop bio-pesticides by using bio-slurry which is an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides; and
(d) the details of the various steps taken by the Government to promote use of bio-pesticides/bio-fertilizers in the Country?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Pesticides are regulated by the Insecticides Act, 1968 (the Act) and Insecticides -Rules, 1971. All aspects from the manufacture, import, storage, sale, distribution, use, etc of pesticides are governed by these regulations. The Central Government and State Governments have appointed 11287 of Insecticide Inspectors to ensure the availability of quality pesticides and check the sale of banned pesticides. 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 substandard which is 2.7% of total samples and appropriate legal action has been initiated. However, no banned pesticides were found in these samples.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a strategy that employs cultural, mechanical and biological methods of pest control is promoted through Central Integrated Pest Management Centers (CIPMCs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and State Agriculture Departments. Various trainings are conducted to create awareness among farmers for promoting use of bio pesticides, bio control agents and botanical formulations as alternative to chemical pesticides, and on safe and judicious use of chemical pesticides. Also, CIPMC’s bio-control laboratories produce various bio-pesticides and bio-control agents.

So far, 1930 Farmers Field Schools (FFSs), 536 two days/five days HRD programs were carried out and 62235 & 26985 of farmers/pesticide dealers respectively were trained from 2019-20 to 2024-25, in all the states including Bihar. Further, 1897 Safe & Judicious use of pesticides awareness campaigns were conducted from 2019-20 to 2024-25 to train 64427 farmers.
For promotion of Bio-fertilizers/organic fertilizers, a new component, “development of bio- fertilizers network production units” has been included under Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana. Under phase-II of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), the Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM)/ Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) produced by the Compressed Bio Gas plants is being provided Market Development Assistance (MDA) @ Rs 1500/MT to boost production. Government is also promoting Integrated Nutrient Management, which includes the use of organic manure as well as bio-fertilizers along with conventional synthetics fertilizers under Soil Health scheme.