Question : ILL EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES

(a) whether the Government maintains data with regard to farmers/agricultural workers whose health are affected by the use of pesticides on account of inhalation/ exposure/ poisoning etc.;

(b) if so, the total number of victims affected by pesticides. State-wise;

(c) whether any death has been reported as a result thereof;

(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(e) whether any compensation had been paid to the victims;

(f) if so, the number of farmers who were paid compensation;

(g) whether the Government has taken any measures to educate farmers and also create awareness about the ill effects of the use of pesticides; and

(h) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI KANTILAL BHURIA):

(a) As per section 26 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, State Governments maintain data regarding effects of pesticides on the health of farmers and agricultural workers.

(b) to (f) Information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

(g) Yes, Sir.

(h) Government has adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM), encompassing cultural, mechanical and biological methods and need based use of pesticides as the cardinal principle and main plank of Plant Protection in the country. The Government is promoting the IPM Approach through the State Governments and its Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs). The mandate of these Centres is pest disease monitoring, production and releases of biocontrol agents, conservation of bio- control agents and human resource development in IPM by imparting training to Agricultural Extension Officers and farmers at the grassroots level by organizing Farmers` Field Schools (FFSs) in the farmers` fields. Good agricultural practices are demonstrated to farmers and emphasis laid upon need based judicious and appropriate use of chemical pesticides and the hazards posed by misuse, overuse and abuse of pesticides through these Farmers` Field Schools.