The Punjab state government of Pakistan has approved a Rs 15.5-million grant for a project to study the impact of pesticides and fertilisers. The project is called "Effects of agro-chemicals on soil, water and crops". According to official sources, efforts will also be made to popularise integrated pest management (IPM) techniques among the farmers in order to prevent the indiscriminate use of insecticides. The government is also trying to popularise the use of "pheromones" which are environmentally-friendly and do not affect useful insects and predators. According to the agriculture department, efforts will be made to prevent the use of adulterated pesticides through all possible administrative and judicial measures.
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