Pulses production can increase by up to 25 per cent if farmers apply genuine pesticides on time, according to industry body Crop Life India.
The country is facing a shortage of two million tonnes of pulses in the country and as a result in a last month or so, the pulses prices have touched Rs 210 per kg. Therefore, the government was forced to import the lentils.
"... What we have seen from our field trials is that with the correct and timely application of quality and genuine agrochemicals, the loss in production of 20-25 per cent that happens due to pest attacks in pulses can be saved, thus helping in increased production," Crop Life India Chairman Ramkrishna Mudholkar told PTI.
According to various industry estimates pests and disease infestation amounts to crop losses worth Rs 50,000 crore each year in India, due to the use of spurious agrochemicals.
The one-fourth of total agrochemical products worth Rs 3,475 crore were sold in India according to Tata Strategic Management Group report.
"Lack of awareness among farmers, makes them buy spurious pesticides, which may not protect them against pest attacks but may damage the crop," Mudholkar said.
He added that Crop Life India member companies have been training farmers on how to use the pesticides and other agrochemicals correctly, judiciously, safely and timely.
"At the same time, we are also guiding farmers on how to identify the difference between spurious and fake products, making sure that they collect a bills from dealers for the products," he said.
It will be unfair to entirely blame farmers for their lack of awareness, on the other side, it is equally important for the state governments to enforce laws and ensure such products are not sold in the market, he added.
Appreciating regulatory system for agrochemicals sector in the country, Mudholkar, however, said there is an imperative need to pay attention to simplify the process to enable ease of doing business at the central and state levels.
India is the fourth largest producer of crop protection chemicals globally. The domestic crop protection industry's valuation stood at USD 2.3 billion in 2014 with the sector tipped to reach USD 4.2 billion by FY 2018-19.
To bring clarity on labelling of food items to help
consumers take informed decision, Paswan said labels printed on food items should carry only 'expiry date' and not "best before", which has no meaning.
"There is no meaning to print "best before" on labels of food items. We have written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) to ensure there are two things clearly printed on the label: date of manufacturing and expiry date," he said.
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission President D K Jain had said last week that consumers get confused about labels printed on food items and the FSSAI should look into labelling issues related to 'expiry date' and 'best before'.
Jain had wondered if 'best before' label meant it was fit for human consumption after six months.
Paswan also said the Centre was in discussion with the National Association of Street Vendors of India on earmarking certain areas in cities for selling of such goods.
"We want a system... We want this activity to take place in particular places," he said.
