SRINAGAR: The Government of India (GoI) has scaled up its national pesticide residue surveillance network and enforcement measures, while pushing farmer training to curb off-label and excessive use of chemicals in agriculture.
Responding to a question from Dushyant Singh in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified 159 laboratories as capable of testing pesticide residues in food commodities, backed by the ‘Strengthening of Food Testing Laboratories’ scheme for high-end equipment upgrades. In addition, 285 mobile food testing labs are now operational across 35 States and Union Territories to conduct on-site testing.
Under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s ‘Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level’ project, 35 participating laboratories collect and test samples of vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, spices, tea, herbs and water from across the country. Findings are shared with States to raise farmer awareness and check misuse.
To address excessive chemical use, the government is promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), encouraging biological and traditional methods alongside bio-pesticides. In 2024–25 alone, 720 training programmes were held through Central Integrated Pest Management Centres, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and State Agriculture Departments, benefiting 21,271 farmers.
Patel also said that to curb the sale of spurious and unregulated pesticides, 12,511 insecticide inspectors have been deployed to conduct inspections and collect samples from manufacturers and sale points nationwide.
Officials said the combined push — strengthening laboratory capacity, enforcing quality checks, and promoting sustainable pest control — is aimed at safeguarding both consumer health and farm productivity.
