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National Agriculture Policy

Pest Management Policy :

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) will be the main policy for controlling pests and diseases. More importance will be given to the following activities for pest control under the Agriculture Policy:

• Farmers will be motivated to use more pest resistant varieties of crops. Modern cultivation practices will be followed so that the incidence of pest infestation is reduced.
• Use of mechanical control measures such as light trap, hand net, etc. will be increased and popularized. Biological control measures will be used to destroy harmful insects and preserve the useful ones.
• Regular training and discussion programs on IPM will be conducted among the farmers under the supervision of Union Agricultural Development Committee with a view to successful introduction and popularization of the method at the farmers’ level.
• Pest surveillance and monitoring system will be strengthened.

Chemical pesticides will only be used in cases where IPM fails to control the pests. The following measures will be taken in respect of distribution and use of chemical pesticides in the light of existing rules and regulations:

• Production, import, distribution or use of any chemical pesticide will be banned which is directly or indirectly harmful for human, animal and aquatic health.
• Use of any chemical pesticide harmful for natural environment will be discouraged and eventually banned.
• The system of approval of pesticides at the national level will be continued and its monitoring along with the testing of effectiveness of approved pesticides will be strengthened.