Question : Loss of Crops due to Pest and Insects

(a) the details of crops affected and the loss suffered by the farmers due to pest and insect attacks on various crops during each of the last three years and the current year, crop-wise and year-wise;

(b) the details of States/UTs which have sought relief/assistance from the Union Government in this regard during the said period;

(c) the details of the relief provided by the Union Government along with the number of farmers benefited during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to protect the crops from pest and insect attacks in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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

(a): The details are at Annexure I.


Contd….2/-




-2-


(b) & (c): During 2014-15 to 2016-17, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has not received any memorandum from the State seeking assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for damages due to pest attack. During 2017-18, the Government of Maharashtra has submitted a memorandum seeking assistance of Rs. 2425.53 crore from NDRF on account of damages caused due to pest attack on cotton and Ockhi cyclone. The said memorandum was examined and certain clarifications were sought from the State Government. However, the State Government informed that requirement of funds is being managed through State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

(d): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” (SMPMA) Scheme through 35 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) established across the country with an aim to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. These CIPMCs, inter alia, conducts regular surveys to monitor pest situations, produce biological agents for release in the fields, conserve natural bio-control agents, promote bio-pesticides as an alternative to chemical pesticides and advocate judicious and safe use of chemical pesticides as a last resort. In addition, these CIPMCs organizes Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) to sensitize farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Furthermore, Regular advisories on pest management are being shared with the States for their timely dissemination to the farmers through their extension functionaries. The State Governments through various forums such as Zonal Conferences and National Conference are requested to exhort their extension functionaries to educate and impart training to farmers on efficacious and sustainable pest management strategies and approaches.