Question : Use of Pesticides

(a) whether the country’s use of pesticides is about 76 per cent as against the world average of 44 per cent, if not, the details thereof vis-a-vis other countries;

(b) whether the guidelines issued by the registration committee, which governs the import and production of pesticides, promotes more and more use of fertilizers and if so, whether the Government has raised any objection in this regard; and

(c) whether the Government has formulated any stringent rules regarding organic farming as against the said guidelines which promotes the use of fertilizers?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): As per the Economic Survey 2015-16, India’s pesticides usage is 0.5 kg per hectare which is low as compared to other countries, such as, 7.0 kg per hectare in the USA, 2.5 kg per hectare in Europe, 12 kg per hectare in Japan and 6.6 kg per hectare in Korea.

(b): No, Madam

(c): The Government has made rules under the Agriculture Produce (Grading & Marketing) Act, 1937 to promote organic certification. In addition, under Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985, mandatory specification for manufacture of Bio-fertilisers and Organic fertilisers have been notified. Furthermore, the Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) have recognised both the certification system of National Programme of Organic Production (NPOP) and Participatory Guarantee System – India (PGS-India) valid for organic food products.

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