Parliament Question: Excessive use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides

O.I.H. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 437 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21ST JULY, 2026 EXCESSIVE USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES 437. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has conducted any scientific assessment of the adverse effects of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on soil fertility and groundwater quality in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof, (c) whether the uncontrolled spraying of chemical pesticides has led to serious health problems among farmers in various states, including Bihar, (d) the concrete schemes implemented by the government so far to promote organic and natural farming and the number of farmers actually benefited from them; and (e) the concrete future action of the Government to reduce farmers' excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (c): Any fertilizer before inclusion in the Fertilizer Control Order undergo bio-efficacy and toxicity trials which is reviewed by Central Fertilizer Committee consisting of technical experts. Accordingly, fertilizer meeting the required standard are notified under FCO. Also, the Government promotes judicious use of fertilizer through various programes including Soil Health & Fertility scheme. The scheme provides Soil Health Cards (SHCs) for farm holdings, to promote balanced and integrated nutrient management for improving productivity and soil fertility. Soil samples are processed as per standard procedures and analyzed for parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, and micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese & Boron). Since 2014- 15, 26.09 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated/ distributed as on date across the country. 130627 farmer’s trainings, 7.17 lakh demonstrations, 7425 farmer’s Melas/ campaigns on soil health card recommendations have been organized across the country to promote balanced use of fertilizer. The Registration Committee, constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 registers pesticides after considering its efficacy and safety to human beings, animals and environment. Pesticides used as per the approved label claims and leaflets are unlikely to cause any harm. In addition, technical reviews are carried out from time to time to assess the safety of pesticides for their continued use.(d) & (e): Judicious use of fertilizer and pesticides are promoted through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for sustainable agriculture. INM ensures balanced crop nutrition by integrating chemical fertilizers with organic manures, crop residues, bio-fertilizers, and other biological inputs to improve soil fertility, nutrient use efficiency, and crop productivity. IPM emphasizes environmentally sound pest management through preventive, biological, cultural, mechanical, and need-based chemical control measures, reducing pesticide dependence and protecting beneficial organisms. The Government of India has notified Organic fertilizers, Bio-fertilizers, De-oiled cake, Organic Carbon Enhancer and Nano fertilizer in The Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 to ensure quality sale of these fertilizers. Government is promoting Natural Farming and Organic Farming as alternatives to chemical farming for sustainable agriculture and human wellbeing. Organic farming in the country is implemented through Paramparagat Krishi VikasYojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs other-than North Eastern States, and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) exclusively for North Eastern region since 2015-16, PKVY promotes organic farming by providing end-to-end support covering production, processing, certification, and marketing. So far, 18.93 lakh hectares area have been brought under organic farming, and 33.63 lakh farmers have been benefited till date. Farmers are provided assistance from production to marketing under the organic farming schemes. Under MOVCDNER, 2.36 lakh hectares area have been brought under organic farming and 2.74 lakh farmers have been benefitted till date. Further, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 25 November 2024, to promote chemical-free, nature-based farming practices using on-farm inputs. 20.93 lakh farmers have been registered, and 10.32 lakh hectares area have been covered under natural farming as on 31.03.2026. *******