The total consumption of agro-chemicals/pesticides during last three years and projected consumption during 2011-12 is as follows:

Sources: States/UTs, Zonal conference on inputs, as intimated by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation. 
It has been estimated that 10% - 30% loss of crop is due to pest attack and if pesticides are used judiciously, it does control crop loss.  Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) has established 31 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) in 28 States and one UT under the scheme “Strengthening and Modernisation of Pest Management Approach in India”, and the following steps are being taken:

* Popularization of Integrated Pest Management approach among farming community;
* Conducting regular pest surveillance and monitoring to assess pest/disease situation;
* Promotion of Bio-pesticides and need based pesticides as alternative to chemical pesticides;
* To play a catalytic role in spread of innovative IPM skills to extension workers, land farmers equally to resource-poor and resource-rich states;
* Human Resource Development in IPM by imparting training to master trainers, extension workers and farmers through Farmers Field Schools (FFSs), in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras / State Agriculture Universities / Indian Council of Agriculture Research Institutes;
* Organisation of Season Long Training (SLT) Programmes on major agricultural/Horticultural crops for Extension workers of the State Governments;
* Short duration courses for pesticides dealers/ NGOs/ entrepreneurs/ students.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.