**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers addressed concerns regarding the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, its impact on farmer profitability, and the environmental consequences of synthetic fertilizers. The government promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and alternative farming practices. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recommends soil-test-based nutrient management.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
**Addressing Excessive Chemical Use:**
* Government promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using traditional and biological methods.
* Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare conducts training programs via CIPMCs, KVKs, and State Agriculture Departments.
* Training covers alternatives to chemicals (biopesticides, biostimulants), and alternate farming practices (organic/mix farming).
* In 2024-25, 720 training programs benefited 21,271 farmers.
**Pesticide Availability and Pricing:**
* Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (via the Registration Committee (RC)) expedites registration for generic pesticides.
* More options for farmers ensure market competition and stabilize prices.
* Minimal registration fees for generic pesticides.
* Simplified guidelines for biopesticide registration, including commercialization permission during a two-year provisional period.
**Reducing Synthetic Fertilizer Impact:**
* ICAR recommends soil-test-based balanced nutrient management using inorganic and organic sources (manure, biofertilizers).
* ICAR has developed improved biofertilizer strains for different crops and soil types.
* Practices advocated by ICAR: split fertilizer application, proper fertilizer placement, slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, nitrification inhibitors, and leguminous crop cultivation.
* ICAR provides training, demonstrations, and awareness programs to educate farmers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Farmers are affected by initiatives aimed at reducing chemical use and promoting sustainable practices.
* *Action Required:* Participate in training programs, adopt IPM strategies, utilize soil testing for balanced nutrient management, and consider alternative farming practices.
**Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing programs, conducting training, managing pesticide registration, and ensuring pesticide availability.
* *Action Required:* Continue conducting training programs, expedite generic pesticide registrations, maintain simplified biopesticide registration guidelines.
**Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for research and development of biofertilizers, promoting balanced nutrient management, and educating stakeholders.
* *Action Required:* Continue research on biofertilizers, promote soil testing, and provide training and awareness programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: A government ministry responsible for chemicals and fertilizers.
Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals: A department within the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Integrated Pest Management IPM: A strategy promoted by the Government of India for pest management through traditional and biological methods.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: A government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Central Integrated Pest Management Centers CIPMCs: Centers under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare that conduct training programs.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs: Agricultural science centers that conduct training programs.
Registration Committee RC: Committee responsible for granting registration certificates for generic pesticides.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR: An organization recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS AND PETROCHEMICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No - 2291
ANSWERED ON- 01/08/2025
EXCESSIVE USE OF CHEMICALS
2291 SHRI. UTKARSH VERMA MADHUR:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state
a. whether it is a fact that due to excessive use of chemicals, the production cost of farmers inc
reases and net profit decreases;
b if so, the details thereof
C. whether the Government proposes to make alternative arrangements so that farmers can get
maximum benefit, if so, the details thereof; and
d whether any measures are being taken by the Government to prevent ill effects of synthetic f
ertilizer as only 30 to 50 per cent of it is absorbed by plants, the remaining nitrogen get denit
rified and seeps into the soil in the form of nitrate and then it goes into groundwater and if so
, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (c): To prevent the excessive use of chemicals, Government of India promotes the
strategy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which envisages pest management through
traditional and biological methods.
Further, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through its Central Integrated
Pest Management Centers (CIPMCs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agriculture
Departments conducts various training programs to create awareness amongst farmers about
use of alternates to chemicals, such as Bio-pesticides, Bio-stimulants, and also about alternate
farming practices such as organic farming, mix farming to increase their production. In the year
2024–25, a total of 720 training programs were conducted across the country, benefiting 21,271
farmers.
Further, to make the pesticides available at reasonable prices, Ministry of Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare through the Registration Committee (RC) grants registration certificates
for generic pesticides expeditiously. Availability of more options to farmers ensures healthycompetition in the market, thereby having the effect of stabilizing the prices. Further, the
registration fee for the registration of generic pesticide has been kept minimal. In addition,
simplified guidelines have been formulated by the RC for the registration of bio-pesticides,
along with permission for commercialization during the provisional registration period of two
years.
(d): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is recommending soil test based balanced
and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic
sources (manure, biofertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.
ICAR has developed improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops
and soil types to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural production. In addition,
practices such as split application of fertilizers during the crop growth period, proper placement
of fertilizers, use of slow releasing Nitrogen fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors, growing
leguminous crops are also advocated by ICAR. ICAR also imparts trainings to different
stakeholders, organizes front-line demonstrations, awareness programs etc. to educate farmers
on all these aspects
*****