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 to create awareness among farmers to prevent the excessive use of chemical pesticides and only need based judicious use of chemical pesticides as last resort. At present, there is no scheme/programme under Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) for purchase of pesticides at subsidized prices.  Further, DA&FW implements various provisions of the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticide Rules, 1971 to ensure the supply of quality pesticides to farmers in the country. Total 12511 Insecticide Inspectors are appointed by Central and State governments in the country for quality check of pesticides and draw samples from manufacturing units and sale points within their jurisdiction at regular intervals, and to curb the sale of counterfeit, substandard and misbranded pesticides. A total of 356091 pesticide samples were analysed during 2020-21 to 2024-25, out of which 9088 pesticide samples were found to be substandard and appropriate legal action has been initiated against the defaulters.

DA&FW is implementing centrally sponsored scheme namely 'Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization' (SMAM) in all the States and Union Territories from 2014-15 under which financial assistance is provided for purchase of agriculture machinery at subsidised price to the farmers on individual ownership basis and for establishment of Custom Hiring Center(CHC)/ Farm Machinery Bank(FMB) to promote farm mechanisation. Under this scheme, to promote the women farmers in agriculture sector financial assistance is provided to women farmers for establishing Custom Hiring Centers (CHC) through State Government departments for providing the services to farmers on rental basis. In order to make available drone services to farmers on rental basis, financial assistance at the rate of 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs are provided for purchase of drones to CHCs under Cooperative Society of Farmers, FPOs and Rural entrepreneurs. Agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance at the rate 50% of the cost of drone up to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakhs per drone. For purchase of drones on individual basis, the Small and Marginal, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, Women and North Eastern State farmers are provided financial assistance at the rate 50% of the cost up to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 lakhs and other farmers at the rate 40% up to a maximum of Rs. 4.00 lakhs. In addition to this, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Crop Residue Management Scheme from 2018-19 in order to support the efforts of the Governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and NCT of Delhi to address the crop stubble burning issues and to subsidize machinery required for management of Crop residue.

Government of India promulgated the Fertilizer Control Order, (FCO) 1985 under Section 3 of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate quality of fertilizer. In Schedule I, III to VI and VIII the specification of chemical fertilizer, bio-fertilizer, organic fertilizer, de-oiled cakes, bio-stimulants and organic carbon enhancer are specified. Clause 19 of FCO strictly prohibits the sale of fertilizer which are not of prescribed standards. Any violation of the provision of FCO invokes both administrative action under FCO like cancellation &suspension of authorization letter and penal action under Essential Commodities Act for a period from 3 months to 7 years with fine. The states government through fertilizer inspectors are empowered to check the quality of fertilizer by drawing samples from godowns manufacturing units, retails outlets, etc.

DA&FW is also implementing Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) and Rainfed Area Development (RAD) schemes taken to save the marginal farmers from the impact of climate change by enhancing productivity and minimising risks associated with climatic variability. The PDMC focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz. Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems and RAD focuses on Integrated Farming System (IFS) for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic variability.

This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, shri Shri  Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Rajya  Sabha today.

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RC/ KSR/AR

 

(Release ID: 2148527)