The institute will be supported by the department of science and technology (DST) and Dehradun-based non governmental organisation (NGO) Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE) headed by noted environmentalist Vandana Shiva.

Organic farming, that relies on bio-pesticides and bio-fertilisers instead of chemical ones, is the way to end increasing pesticide menace in the country, the minister said at a book release function.

The book, titled Alternatives to Pesticides in Tropical Countries has been written by crop scientist AT Dudani and published by "Vigyan Prasar" -- a unit under DST.

"About 30,000 farmers die each year due to pesticide-related health disorders as they do not take precautionary measures while spraying pesticides," shesaid.

The minister asked Vigyan Prasar to bring out pamphlets on the benefits and methods of organic farming in Hindi and Punjabi for free distribution in northern parts through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Though farmers are willing to go organic, information is scarce, she added.

The institute would start functioning in next three to four weeks, DST secretary VS Ramamurthy said.

The institute would also seek international authorisation to certify organic food products, Ramamurthy said.

India needs to use pesticide in a "responsible" manner as overuse of pesticides leaves a lot of toxic chemicals in the soil which are difficult to dispose off, he pointed out.

The 360-page book deals with many such problems associated in a non-technical manner. It also reviews the use of pesticides in India and elsewhere and could help make people aware about the menace, he said.

The title also gives successful South-Asian examples of organic farming from countries like Philippines and Indonesia as well as fromIndia.

Dudani, a former scientist with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has also written the first ever status report on pesticides and related problems in India in 1987.