(a) whether due to excessive use of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides there is decline in the
fertility of the land and dangers of the underground water being polluted;
(b) if so, whether the Government have conducted any survey to find out the decline in fertility
of land in various parts of the country; and
(c) the remedial measures the Government propose to take in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a): The average consumption of fertilizers and pesticides in the country is only 90.12 kg/ha and
0.57 kg/ha (active ingredient), respectively during 2001-02. This level of consumption is not
considered to cause decline in fertility of land and pollution of underground water.
(b): No systematic survey has been made to ascertain the decline in soil fertility due to excessive
use of fertilizers in the country. However, there are few instances of decline in soil fertility due to
imbalanced use of fertilizers.
(c): The Government is promoting the soil test based balanced and integrated use of chemical
fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures & biofertilizers and also integrated pest management
practices.