Punjab Agriculture Department starts drive to check fake pesticides

Tribune News Service

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Moga, July 20

The Agriculture Department has launched a drive to keep a tab on sale of spurious fertilisers and pesticides in the state. The department’s move to check bills and collect samples of pesticides from farmers had proved beneficial during the Rabi season.

Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary (Agriculture), has issued directions to all the Deputy Commissioners and field officials to strictly implement the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Fertiliser Control Act, 1985, which makes it mandatory for dealers and cooperative societies to issue bills with regard to the sale of fertilisers and pesticides to farmers.

Moga CAO Dr Balwinder Singh has constituted various teams of agro-scientists who check packaging of pesticides, besides, collecting samples from farmers.

“We have been asked to ensure compliance of the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Fertiliser Control Act, 1985, to stop the sale of fertilisers and agrochemicals without billing,” said Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar, Plant Protection Officer, Moga.