Paswan meets stakeholders in pesticides sector

New Delhi, Mar 31 (UNI) Minister for Chemicals&Fertilizers and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan today held an interactive session with the stakeholders of the pesticides sector and appreciated the growth achieved in the sector.

Mr Paswan also appreciated the increase in exports in the sector and acknowledged the importance of this industry in meeting the needs of the growing population regarding agriculture production including increase per hectare yield, according to an official release.

The minister also took note of the problems faced by the pesticides industry relating to registration procedures, spurious pesticides and absence of adequate facilities in States pesticides-testing laboratories.

Mr Paswan suggested to initiate a joint awareness and promotional campaign with the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministries of Agriculture &Health on the benefits and the safe use of pesticides as well as urged to avoide the use of spurious pesticides, the release added.

The interactive session was attended by representatives of Crop Life India, Crop Care Federation of India, PMFAI&ICMA.

The representatives raised issues relating to data protection, delays in registration of pesticides meant for exports, spurious pesticides, deterioration of the enforcement system of State Government in enforcing the Insecticides Act, reduction on excise duty on pesticides and extension of benefits under the Income Tax Act, the release said.

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