Ever since the Prime Minister has said India can feed the world, the agriculture sector has launched itself in top gear to meet the need should the situation arise. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, in this connection, launched two portals, one for the Computerized Registration of pesticide (CROP) and the other for Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS) on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister said, keeping in mind Prime Minister’s vision for the Agriculture sector these two portals have been launched and would help in taking forward digital Agriculture and Ease of doing Business. Tomar expressed happiness stating that Agriculture Exports have taken a great leap forward.
Speaking on the occasion, Junior Minister Kailash Chaudhary said the Prime Minister’s emphasis on technology will lead to further development of the Agriculture sector. The new portals will benefit farmers, exporters as well as industrialists.
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS), Faridabad has been catering to Indian exporters and importers of agriculture commodities and Indian Pesticide Industry, through its two portals namely, Computerized Registration of pesticide (CROP) and Plant Quarantine Information System (PQIS).
Realising the need for quicker disposal of applications related to export/import of agricultural commodities and pesticides registration, a more coordinated integration with external systems and stakeholders, and to bring in greater transparency in the existing online system, DAFW today launched two redeveloped online portals.
The PQMS portal will provide a transparent system with no physical touch points for the applicants and ensure convenience to the users, through an online system including e-payments and uploading of documents, online accreditation and renewal of treatment agencies/facilities and downloading of certificates. Similarly, the re-developed CROP portal will immensely help in ease of doing business and provide greater and timely Crop protection solutions to farmers of the country.
In line with the vision of the Prime Minister for promoting drone technology and its use in India and to facilitate the use of Kisan drones, as announced in budget document 2022-23; the Department in consultation with all the stakeholders of this sector, has brought out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for use of drones in pesticide and nutrient application.
As part of continuing efforts to make drone technologies reach all farmers, the Ministry has issued orders on Monday granting an interim approval for spray of nearly all the registered pesticides formulations using drones. These pesticide formulations are those whose safety and efficacy has already been evaluated on different crops and are already being used in the country using other methods. The application of pesticides using drones will not only make it easier for farmers to efficiently protect plants from pests, but will also eventually help in increasing their incomes through reduced input costs.
Among those who were present included MoS Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary, Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja, senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry, DG, Centre for Good Governance Rajendra Nimje, ICAR Scientists, Representatives from the States, Industries and Farmers’ Organisations.