Training to the Farmers for the use of Botanical Pesticides

The functionaries of the Central and State Governments impart training to the farmers on judicious use of insecticides including that of botanical pesticides. Bio-products registered under the Insecticides Act, 1968 are used as per the approved label claims, then no risk to human beings or financial loss is likely to accrue. Government of Haryana has prohibited sale of bioproducts, and the decision has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The High Court has directed laboratory evaluation of bio-products. Further, it is mentioned that the registration of botanical pesticides such as neem based pesticides is done after evaluation of efficacy and safety data, generated on all important parameters as laid down in the guidelines of the Registration Committee, constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968. The Insecticides Act, 1968 is applicable to all the insecticides, pesticides and fungicides which are defined under Section 3(e) of the Act and are listed in the schedule of the Act. Registration Committee constituted U/s 5 of the Insecticide Act 1968 registers pesticide including biopesticides, botanical pesticides & Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) for use in the country. So far three botanical pesticides viz. Azadirachtin (Neem Based) Pyrethrum & Cymbopogan have been registered in different formulation. 

As seaweeds/seaweed extract, Amino Acids and the like are not included in the said schedule, these products are not covered under the Insecticides Act 1968. 

This information was given today (30.08.2013) by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Tariq Anwar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions. 

Courtesy: (pib.nic.in) Press Information Bureau