Question : Crops Damaged by Pests and Insects

(a) the number of types of crops damaged by the attack of pests/insects in various parts of the country during the last one year, especially in Madhya Pradesh;

(b) whether the said pests/insects have been identified and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is aware that contaminated seed is the reason for spread of certain diseases in Soyabean and pulses;

(d) if so, the corrective action taken in this regard; and

(e) whether any warning or information was provided to the farmers in advance for protecting the soyabean and pulse crops from the said diseases?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) & (b): The details are at Annexure I.

(c) & (d): The Yellow mosaic disease of soyabean is not seed borne, the virus spread through the vector (white fly). However, there are some diseases which are caused by seed and soil borne organisms. The Government has launched a ‘Seed Treatment’ Campaign across the country to control/contain primary soil and seed borne infestation with an aim to improve crop safety. In addition, various Research organizations like Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agriculture Universities are engaged in evolving resistant varieties of seeds and conducting research to develop effective pest management techniques.

(e): Advisories were issued from time to time by Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQ&S) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on management of various pests and diseases to various stakeholders.