(a) whether the Government is aware of the reported high level of pesticide
residues found in rice, wheat, vegetables and fruits;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the remedial steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 358 DUE
FOR REPLY ON 18TH DECEMBER, 2012.
(a) & (b): Government of India is implementing a Central Sector Scheme
“Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level†under which samples of
various food commodities including rice, wheat, vegetables and fruits are analyzed
for the presence of pesticide residue. During the period April, 2010 to March, 2012,
a total of 1577 samples of rice were analyzed, out of which 16 samples were found
to contain pesticide residue above the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). During the
same period, 29 out of 1343 samples of wheat, 328 out of 11,611 samples of
vegetables, and 32 out of 4232 samples of fruits were found to contain pesticide
residue above Maximum Residue Limit.
(c): The pesticide residue data generated under the scheme are shared with
State Governments to initiate corrective action. Government of India is also
promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through Farmers Field Schools for
safe, judicious and need based use of approved pesticides and other pest
management practices.