Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers addressed concerns regarding pesticide residue monitoring, off-label pesticide use, spurious pesticide sales, and incentives for sustainable alternatives. Measures include expanding surveillance programs, enhancing laboratory capacities, promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and conducting training programs for farmers. The Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee registers pesticides and the FSSAI sets Maximum Residue Limits.
Key Points / Main Content:
Pesticide Residue Monitoring and Laboratory Capacity:
* FSSAI has notified 159 primary laboratories for pesticide residue testing in food commodities.
* The 'Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratories' scheme supports laboratories with high-end equipment.
* 285 Mobile Food Testing Labs are deployed across 35 States/UTs for onsite testing.
* The 'Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level' project, implemented by DAFW, analyzes pesticide levels in various food commodities via 35 participating laboratories.
* Residue analysis results are shared with states to educate farmers about controlling off-label pesticide use.
Addressing Off-Label and Excessive Pesticide Use:
* The government promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using traditional and biological methods.
* Central and State Governments have appointed 12511 Insecticide Inspectors to inspect and collect pesticide samples to check sale of spurious and unregulated pesticides.
* Training programs are conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to educate farmers on alternatives to chemicals and the judicious use of chemical pesticides.
* 720 training programs were conducted in 2024-25, benefiting 21,271 farmers.
Sale and Distribution of Spurious Pesticides:
* Insecticide Inspectors conduct inspections and collect pesticide samples from manufacturers and sale points to ensure the availability of quality pesticides.
Incentives for Sustainable Alternatives:
* The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare conducts training programs to create awareness among farmers about the use of Biopesticides and Biostimulants.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
* Impact: Farmers are affected by regulations on pesticide use, residue limits, and the promotion of sustainable alternatives. They are also the target audience for training programs.
* Action Required: Farmers need to adopt IPM strategies, adhere to prescribed pesticide doses, and consider using biopesticides and biostimulants.
Food Testing Laboratories:
* Impact: Laboratories are impacted by the need to enhance their testing capacities and participate in national monitoring programs.
* Action Required: Laboratories should utilize schemes like 'Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratories' to procure high-end equipment and improve testing capabilities.
State Governments:
* Impact: State governments are responsible for implementing regulations, appointing insecticide inspectors, and disseminating information to farmers.
* Action Required: States need to support training programs, enforce pesticide regulations, and educate farmers on responsible pesticide use.
Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee & Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare:
* Impact: Responsible for pesticide registration, ensuring safety and efficacy, and setting Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). Also, responsible for the 'Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level' project.
* Action Required: Continued monitoring, analysis, and data sharing on pesticide residues in food commodities.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
* Impact: Responsible for setting Maximum Residue Limits and implementing schemes for strengthening food testing laboratories.
* Action Required: Maintain and update the list of notified laboratories. Continue implementing schemes to strengthen food testing infrastructure.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: The Indian government ministry responsible for chemicals and fertilizers.
DUSHYANT SINGH: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the unstarred question No. 3359.
Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee: A committee under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare responsible for registering pesticides.
Insecticide Act, 1968: The Indian law governing the manufacture, sale, and use of insecticides.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI: An authority which sets Maximum Residue Limit for pesticides.
Integrated Pest Management IPM: A strategy for pest management that utilizes traditional and biological methods.
Department of Agriculture Farmers Welfare DAFW: A department which registers pesticides and implements 'Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level' project.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras: Agricultural extension centers involved in training programs for farmers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS AND PETROCHEMICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3359
ANSWERED ON- 08/08/2025
PESTICIDE RESIDUE MONITORING
3359. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the measures being taken to expand national surveillance programs and enhance laboratory
capacities for pesticide residue testing across the country;
(b) the manner in which the Government plans to address the issue of off-label and excessive
use of pesticides by farmers;
(c) the steps being taken to curb the sale and distribution of spurious and unregulated pesticides
in the market; and
(d) whether the Government plans to introduce incentives or subsidies for farmers adopting
sustainable alternatives such as bio-pesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and if
so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (d): Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee under Department of
Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) registers pesticides under the provisions of the
Insecticide Act, 1968 for its manufacture and use in the country after ensuring the efficacy andsafety to prevent risk to human beings or animals and issues certificate of registration only after
fixation of Maximum Residue Limit by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
FSSAI has notified 159 primary laboratories as capable for testing of Pesticide Residues
in food commodities. FSSAI also implements 'Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratories'
scheme to support laboratories for procurement of High End Equipment which helps in
enhancing their capacities for testing pesticide residues in food commodities. Further, FSSAI
has also deployed 285 Mobile Food Testing Labs across 35 States/UTs for on-site testing of
food products.
'Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level' project has been implemented by
DA&FW, which is an ongoing project. The objective of the project is to determine the levels
of pesticide residues in food commodities such as vegetables, fruits, spices, cereals, pulses,
herbs, tea and water etc. by collecting samples from different parts of the country by 35
participating laboratories. The results of the pesticide residue analysis are shared with all States
to facilitate farmer awareness and education to control the use of off-label pesticides.
To prevent excessive use of pesticides, Government of India promotes the strategy of
Integrated Pest Management which envisages pest management through traditional and
biological methods.
Further, Central Government and State Governments have also appointed 12511 no. of
Insecticide Inspectors to conduct inspections and collect pesticide samples from manufacturer's
premises and sale points to check sale of spurious and unregulated pesticides and ensure the
availability of quality pesticides across the country.
Furthermore, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through its Central
Integrated Pest Management Centers, Krishi Vigyan Kendras 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 educate the farmers
for need-based & judicious use of chemical pesticides as per doses prescribed on label and
leaflet to address the issue of off-label and excessive use of pesticides. In the year 2024–25, a
total of 720 training programs were conducted across the country, benefiting 21,271 farmers.
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