(a) whether it is a fact that the consumption/usage of chemical pesticides in the country has increased over the past few years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that farmers are using low quality pesticides due to lack of awareness about the use of pesticides; and
(d) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 215 DUE FOR REPLY ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2019.
(a) & (b): State Governments and Union Territories report data related to consumption of pesticide to Central Government. As per the provided data, the trend of consumption of chemical pesticides has varied from year to year and State to State. Pesticide use depends on several factors like area under cultivation, type of crop, cropping intensity, agro climatic conditions, soil condition, weed, insect and disease situation etc. State-wise details of consumption of chemical pesticides (Technical Grade in MT) during last 5 years may be seen at Annexure-1.
It is pertinent to mention that during the same period; the use of bio-pesticides is showing increasing trend in the various States. State-wise details of consumption Bio-pesticides (Technical Grade in MT) during last 5 years may be seen at Annexure-2.
(c) & (d): Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing ‘Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine’ Scheme, under which Integrated Pest Management approach is being promoted to educate the farmers about judicious use of chemical pesticides and to recommend use as per the directions prescribed on the label claim and leaflets. Integrated Pest Management seeks to promote cultural, mechanical, biological methods of pest control and recommends use of chemical pesticides as a measure of last resort. During the last 5 years (2014-15 to 2019-20), 3730 Farmer Field Schools and 732 HRD programmes were conducted under Integrated Pest Management and 1,41,180 farmers, pesticide dealers and officials have been trained.