Only 3.1 pc of fruit, vegetable samples found above FSSAI pesticide residue limits: Govt
New Delhi, Aug 11
Only around 3.1 per cent of 70,652 fruit and vegetable samples tested across 23 states and Union Territories were found to contain pesticide residues above the Maximum Residue Limit prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India during the last three years, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been implementing the Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level (MPRNL) project since 2005-06 to assess pesticide residue levels in agricultural commodities.
Responding to a starred question in Parliament, Chouhan said samples under the project are collected through 40 participating laboratories. The test reports are subsequently shared with the agricultural departments of states and Union Territories to support awareness initiatives and training programmes for farmers on the safe and judicious use of pesticides.
The government has also introduced the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS), a digital platform comprising a mobile application and web portal that enables real-time pest identification, surveillance and access to expert advisories. According to the minister, the system recommends the use of pesticides approved by the Registration Committee only when necessary and at the prescribed doses.
The Agriculture Ministry is also undertaking awareness and capacity-building programmes through its 48 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) and Locust-cum-Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (LCIPMCs).
Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, these centres conducted 1,353 Farmer Field School programmes, benefiting 46,969 farmers. During the same period, 680 two-day human resource development programmes benefited 37,664 farmers, while 2,384 campaigns on the safe and judicious use of pesticides reached 76,702 farmers.
The ministry also conducted 2,548 seed treatment campaigns during the period, benefiting 81,048 farmers, Chouhan said.
The government is implementing various schemes to encourage the adoption of modern agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices. It has also implemented the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for the holistic development of the horticulture sector, including the production of fruits and vegetables.
In addition, 21 states have constituted committees to monitor pesticide residues and strengthen the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices and Integrated Pest Management, with the aim of reducing pesticide residues in agricultural commodities.
— IANS
Reader Comments
3.1% seems reassuring on the surface, but we need to consider that only 23 states and UTs were covered. What about the remaining states? Also, the sample size per state matters - hope the government expands this monitoring to cover all regions equally.
Great initiative with the National Pest Surveillance System! Our farmers need more digital tools like this. The fact that 21 states have formed monitoring committees shows real commitment. Still, we need to ensure small farmers get proper training - they're the backbone of our agriculture! 🇮🇳
Interesting to see India's food safety progress. 3.1% is actually comparable to many developed nations. The Farmer Field School programs reaching nearly 47,000 farmers is impressive. Would love to see more transparency about which specific pesticides were found in those samples though.
The numbers are encouraging, but as a consumer, I worry about the cumulative effect of multiple pesticides even at low levels. Also, these tests don't happen in real-time - by the time results come out, the produce is already in the market. Need faster testing methods! 🍎⚠️
I appreciate the government's efforts, especially the seed treatment campaigns and IPM training. But we need to ask - what happens to the 3.1% contaminated produce? Is it destroyed or does it reach the market? Need stronger enforcement and penalties for violators. 🌱
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