(a) the details of the pesticide testing laboratories which are functioning in Andhra Pradesh;
(b) the details of the performance of each of the above pesticide testing laboratories;
(c) the extent to which these laboratories are helping in reducing the supply of spurious pesticides to the farmers in Andhra Pradesh; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to modernize and strengthen the pesticide testing laboratories in the State?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a): In Andhra Pradesh state five Pesticides Testing Laboratories are functioning which are located at Visakhapatnam, Tadepalli- gudem, Guntur, Kurnool and Ananthapuram towns.
(b): The pesticides testing laboratories regularly analyse samples to ascertain the quality of pesticides. As reported by AP state government, during the year 2014-15, Pesticides Testing Laboratories at Ananthapuram, Guntur, Tadepalli- gudem, Vishakhapatnam, and Kurnool analyzed 1208, 1422, 625, 660 and 802 samples respectively. Of which 63 samples were found not to conform to specifications.
(c): As informed by Andhra Pradesh state government, insecticide samples are drawn by the Insecticides Inspectors from all the pesticide outlets including manufacturing units and are sent to pesticide testing laboratories to assess the quality of pesticides. The Pesticide samples are analyzed as per the standard procedures. Action is initiated against the concerned firm as per the provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968 and rules thereunder if the samples are found not to conform to specifications. This acts as a deterrent against flow of spurious pesticides into the market.
(d): The State Government has informed that it has taken several steps to strength and modernize the pesticide testing laboratories in Andhra Pradesh during the year 2014-15. An amount of Rs. 80 lakhs was released under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), for upgrading the pesticide testing laboratories at Ananthapuram, Kurnool, Guntur and Visakhapatnam @ Rs 20.00 Lakhs each for accreditation by the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratory (NABL). An additional Rs.64.00 lakhs was released under RKVY to strengthen the five pesticides testing laboratories in the State.