Question : ORGANIC FARMING

(a) whether the scientists at NDRI, Karnal have worked out status and control pesticide residues in milk and milk product;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether scientists are advocating use of IPM, INM and organic farming;

(d) if so, the steps being taken thereon;

(e) whether the Government are aware that milk from the Cooperative including Amul has a dangerous pesticides in all the milk products produced and exported by them;

(f) if so, whether the Government propose to adopt organic farming; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)


(a) Yes, Sir.


(b) A limited survey of milk and ghee carried out in Haryana, Punjab, UP and Delhi shows only isolated cases of the presence of DDT and BHC in milk and ghee. In general, most of the samples tested were lower than the maximum residue limit for DDT and BHC. In case of ghee, the occurrence of the pesticide residues were very rare.


(c) Yes Sir.


(d) Farmers are recommended to use biopesticides, pheromones and bio-control agents substituting hazardous synthetic pesticides. Increased use of compost and vermi compost is recommended.


(e) No, Sir. Milk processed by Amul and other Cooperatives is periodically analysed to conform to the limits of Pesticide residue laid down under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. The products meant for export also conform to the requirements laid down by the Export Inspection Agency of India and the importing countries.


(f) & (g): Government proposes to advocate adoption of organic farming by the farmers to protect the public health. To popularize organic farming, farmers are being educated through demonstrations in the field, Kisan Melas, KVKs and Goshthis etc.


For further promoting organic farming in the country during the Tenth Plan, a proposal for a new scheme, `National Project on Organic Farming` is under formulation by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, which includes setting up of a National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB), whose function will be to promote and facilitate various aspects of organic farming in the country.