Question : PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN FOODGRAINS

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the foodgrains are becoming contaminated due to the presence of high level pesticide and fertiliser residues;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the presence of arsenic in boro variety of rice has reached dangerous level this year;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether any study has been undertaken by the Government in this regard;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps taken to prevent health hazards due to contamination of foodgrains and to check the same?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI ARUN YADAV)

(a) & (b): Government of India is implementing a central sector scheme, “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level” under which samples of food commodities are analyzed for the presence of pesticide residues. During April 2008 to March, 2010, 2,777 samples of foodgrains (rice and wheat) were collected from public distribution system. In 72 (2.6%) samples, pesticide residues were found above Maximum Residues Limit prescribed under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), 1954.

(c) to (f): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has sanctioned a National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) sub-project on, “Arsenic in Food-Chain: Cause Effect and Mitigation” led by Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur.

Though accumulation of arsenic in boro rice grain has been recorded, it has not reached dangerous level.

(g): The Government of India is promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through Farmers’ Field Schools focusing on safe, judicious and need based use of approved pesticides and other pest management practices.