Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) on August 15, 2024, to improve pest and disease management across India. The NPSS utilizes AI and ML to provide real-time crop protection advisories through a mobile app and web portal, covering 65 crops. Training programs are being conducted to educate farmers and officials on using the NPSS platform.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **NPSS Overview:**
* Launched on August 15, 2024, to enhance pest and disease surveillance and management.
* Uses AI and ML for pest and disease identification.
* Provides real-time crop protection advisories to farmers.
* **NPSS Platform:**
* Includes a mobile app and web portal.
* Covers identification of pests and diseases in 65 crops.
* Issues pest management advisories for 31 major crops.
* **Advisories and Languages:**
* 10,713 pest management advisories issued through NPSS.
* Available in English, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, and Odiya.
* **Training and Awareness Programs:**
* CIPMCs, KVKs, and State Agriculture Departments conduct training programs and workshops.
* Aims to create awareness among farmers, state officials, and extension workers.
* **Specific Measures for Telangana:**
* CIPMC, Hyderabad, conducted 32 training programs in all districts.
* Booklet on NPSS in Telugu was distributed to farmers.
* Video Conference program named Raithu Nestham was organized by the State Agriculture Department, Govt. of Telangana.
* 1,034 Raithu Vedikas participated in the NPSS training program.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
* Impact: Reduced dependence on pesticide retailers, improved crop disease diagnosis and treatment, increased agricultural productivity, and preserved soil health.
* Action Required: Participate in training programs, use the NPSS mobile app and web portal, and follow pest management advisories.
State Agriculture Departments and Officials:
* Impact: Enhanced ability to monitor and manage pest and disease outbreaks, improved support for farmers, and access to real-time data for informed decision-making.
* Action Required: Conduct training programs, promote the use of NPSS among farmers, and participate in NPSS training programs.
Extension Workers:
* Impact: Increased knowledge and resources for assisting farmers with pest and disease management, improved access to real-time information, and enhanced ability to provide effective support.
* Action Required: Attend training programs, use the NPSS platform, and disseminate information to farmers.
Key Entities Referenced
National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS): A system launched to enhance the surveillance and management of pest diseases across the country using digital technologies like AI and ML.
Telangana: A state in India, focus of specific measures for education and training on using the NPSS platform.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI and ML): Digital technologies utilized by the NPSS for identification of pests and diseases.
Central Integrated Pest Management Centers (CIPMCs): Centers under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare involved in training programs for NPSS use.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): Agricultural extension centers involved in training programs for NPSS use.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare, overseeing the NPSS.
Hyderabad: City in Telangana, location of a Central Integrated Pest Management Center (CIPMC).
Raithu Nestham: Video Conference programme on NPSS organized by State Agriculture Department, Govt. of Telangana
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 408
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND July, 2025
NATIONAL PEST SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
408. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY :
Will the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the expected impact of the newly launched National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)
on reducing farmers’ dependence on pesticide retailers, and how it will benefit farmers;
(b) the manner in which the system will ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment
of crop diseases to increase agricultural productivity and preserve soil health, particularly
for farmers of Telangana;
(c) the specific measures that are being implemented to educate and train farmers in
Telangana on using the AI-based NPSS platform for pest control and crop management;
and
(d) whether there are any plans to develop region-specific resources and support in local
languages to encourage widespread adoption of the platform in Telangana and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)यमं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (d): The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) has been launched on 15th
August, 2024 by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to enhance
the surveillance and management of pest diseases across the country. The system utilizes
latest digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI and ML)
for identification of pests and diseases and provide real time crop protection advisory to the
farmers in all the States including State of Telangana. It includes a user-friendly mobile app
and web portal for identification of pests and diseases in 65 crops and pest management
advisories are being issued for 31 major crops namely Cotton, Rice, Maize, Chilli, Wheat,
Soybean, Sugarcane, Pigeon pea, Black gram, Apple, Grapes, Banana, Pomegranate,
Tomato, Brinjal , Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Ginger,
Kinnow, Mango, Okra, Onion, Orange, Papaya, Potato, Sapota, Sweet Orange, Cashew nut
to the farmers. So far, 10713 pest management advisories have been issued through NPSS
for the benefit of farmers in five languages namely English, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi and
Odiya.Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through its Central Integrated Pest
Management Centers (CIPMCs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agriculture
Departments conduct various training programs and workshops to create awareness
among farmers, state agriculture department officials and extension workers for use of
NPSS for pest identification and disease management including use of pesticides.
Further, Central Integrated Pest Management Center (CIPMC), Hyderabad has
conducted 32 training programmes for use of NPSS in all the districts of state of Telangana
and booklet on NPSS in Local language (Telugu) was distributed to the farmers. Video
Conference programme on NPSS named “Raithu Nestham” was organized by State
Agriculture Department, Govt. of Telangana in which farmers and agriculture officers were
present and 1,034 Raithu Vedikas participated in the NPSS training programme.
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