(a) whether the Union Government has received a number of proposals from State
Governments seeking financial assistance for control of pests and various plant/tree
diseases;
(b) if so, the details of such proposals received during each of the last three years,
State-wise; and
(c) the action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) : Yes, Sir.
(b)& (c): Based on the Work Plan proposals of the States, Central Government
approves sector wise outlays to each of the States under macro management. The work
plan contains a component for promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which is
an environment friendly ecological approach for managing pests and diseases. This
approach encompasses pest control techniques such as cultural, mechanical, biological
and scientific and judicious use of pesticides. The approved outlay for IPM, state wise for
the period 2003-04 to 2005-06 is given in annexure I. National Horticulture Mission
also approves state specific proposals for promoting Integrated Pest Management of
horticultural crops. Following proposals have been approved under National Horticulture
Mission for providing financial assistance for control of pests and diseases:
(i) Special assistance of Rs. 591 lakh has been approved for control of gummosis of
orange in Madhya Pradesh, during 2006-07.
(ii) An amount of Rs. 212.50 lakh has been sanctioned to the Government of Karnataka
as a special package for the management of bacterial blight affected pomegranate
orchards, during 2006-07.
(iii) An amount of Rs. 1170.83 lakh has been approved for the rehabilitation of Yellow
leaf disease affected arecanut gardens in Kerala over a period of 3 years with an outlay of
Rs. 125.44 lakh during 2006-07.
(iv) A package of good management practices in bacterial blight affected pomegranate
orchards of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, in an extent of 9753 hectares,
7426 hectares and 1200 hectares, respectively, has been approved, in March, 2007.