SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has intensified enforcement measures against spurious and substandard pesticides and is promoting safer pesticide use through regulatory action, farmer awareness programmes and scientific monitoring, Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para regarding concerns over rising cancer cases and alleged risks associated with spurious pesticides, the minister said the Agriculture Production Department has put in place a comprehensive mechanism under the Insecticides Act, 1968, to regulate pesticide sales and usage.
Dar said two Quality Control Laboratories, one each in Srinagar and Jammu, are functional for pesticide testing and that the enforcement framework is being strengthened to ensure compliance with quality standards.
He informed the House that during 2025-26, authorities tested 5,772 pesticide samples, of which 85 were found to be substandard. Enforcement action included the issuance of 93 show-cause notices, 52 prosecutions, registration of 22 FIRs and recovery of ₹70,000 in fines.
During 2026-27, 1,658 samples have been tested so far, with 66 found substandard. As a result, 19 licences were cancelled or suspended, 19 prosecutions launched, three FIRs registered and fines amounting to ₹1.33 lakh recovered, he said.
The minister also said 32 highly toxic pesticide formulations have been banned or restricted in Jammu and Kashmir in line with advisories issued by the Government of India.
Dar said the government is promoting adherence to recommended pesticide doses, crop-specific usage guidelines, waiting periods and safe handling practices. Farmers and pesticide applicators are being trained in the use of personal protective equipment and proper disposal methods, he added.
To reduce dependence on chemical pesticides, the government is promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM). During 2025-26, 520 IPM Farmer Field Schools were conducted in major horticulture districts, including Shopian, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kulgam and Anantnag.
The minister said organic farming and judicious use of agro-chemicals are also being encouraged under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). Around 1.15 lakh Soil Health Cards have been issued to support balanced use of agricultural inputs, he added.
Dar informed the House that a State Pesticide Residue Testing Laboratory is in the final stages of establishment. He also said the NABL-accredited Research Centre for Residue and Quality Analysis at SKUAST-Kashmir regularly tests agricultural produce under a central government monitoring programme and that pesticide residues generally remain within prescribed Maximum Residue Limits, although occasional exceedances are detected.
The minister said a comprehensive study involving the Agriculture Production Department, Health and Medical Education Department, SKUAST-Jammu, SKUAST-Kashmir, SKIMS and SMHS Hospital could help assess pesticide exposure, residue levels, usage patterns and related health data to strengthen risk assessment and preventive measures.
He added that recommendations made by the Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment regarding pesticide exposure and malignant brain tumours had also highlighted the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to minimise risks arising from unsafe pesticide use.
