Annual Report 2009-2010 - Department of Agriculture & Co-operation

7.3 During 2009-10 (up-to December 2009),
Pest Risk Analyses (PRA) for the import of 96
items were completed, and technical information
provided for the export of 15 items to the
concerned National Plant Protection
Organisations. First, second, third, and fourth
amendments to the Plant Quarantine (Regulation
of Import into India) Order, 2003 were notified in
the Gazette of India after finalisation while the
draft fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth
amendments were notified to the World Trade
Organization for inviting the comments of
member countries. The screening of 1,502 lakh
metric tonnes of imported agricultural
commodities was undertaken and 11,144 import
permits were issued. Phytosanitary inspections
for the export of 101 lakh metric tonnes of plants
and plant material were conducted and 59,679
PSCs were issued. There were 121 pest control
agencies accredited for undertaking fumigation
as on 31 December 2009, including 16 new
accredited agencies. There were 60 agencies
accredited for Forced Hot Air Treatment (FHAT)
for wood and wood packaging material, including
20 new accredited agencies.
7.4 To improve quarantine services by
bringing in greater transparency and efficient
dissemination of information as well as to
facilitate an electronic data interface with
Customs, a web-based Plant Quarantine
Information System (PQIS) is being implemented
through the National Informatics Centre, New
Delhi.
7.5 India hosted the 26th Session of the Asia
and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC)
at New Delhi from 31 August to 4 September
2009.
7.6 Integrated Pest Management: Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) is an eco-friendly
approach, which aims at keeping pests below
the economic threshold level (ETL) by employing
all available pest control methods and techniques
such as cultural, mechanical, and biological
control, with greater emphasis on the use of biopesticides
and pesticides of plant-origin such as
Neem formulations. The use of chemical
pesticides is advised as a last resort, when pests
cross the ETL. IPM related activities are being
implemented through 31 Central Integrated Pest
Management Centres (CIPMCs) established in
28 States and one UT. These activities are funded
under the central sector plan scheme, the
Strengthening and Modernisation of Pest
Management Approach (SMPMA).
7.7 IPM activities are propagated through
Farmers' Field Schools (FFSs). This is a form of
adult education evolved from the concept that
farmers learn optimally from field observations
and experimentation. FFSs are organised to help
farmers tailor IPM practices to suit their needs.
These schools are conducted separately for the
Kharif and Rabi seasons, each FFS lasting 14
weeks. During 2009-10 (up-to December 2009),
576 FFSs were conducted by CIPMCs in which
15,069 farmers and 2,498 Agriculture Extension
Officers (AEOs) were trained.
7.8 Apart from conducting FFSs, the CIPMCs
carry out pest/disease monitoring and
conservation, production, and release of biocontrol
agents. A total of 124 crore bio-control
agents were mass produced in the laboratories
and released against insect and pests in various
crops covering an area of 0.52 lakh hectares (upto
December 2009).
7.9 Seed Treatment Campaign: Seed
treatment is the use and application of chemical
and biological agents on seeds to control primary
soil and seed borne infestation of insects and
diseases, which are serious threats to crop
production. Since 1997, the seed treatment
campaign is taken up every year by the
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation
Plant Protection
41