India’s pesticide market: herbicides rise as labour costs climb
Why in the news
India’s pesticide use is moving from insect control towards herbicides, as scarce and costly labour, changing crops and environmental worries reshape demand.
Key facts
- Pesticides come in three main types: insecticides (e.g. white-backed plant hopper in paddy), fungicides (blast, sheath blight) and herbicides (weeds).
- Use stayed low until the mid-20th century; the Green Revolution drove expansion, while bans (DDT, endosulfan) and costlier labour shaped later trends.
- Globally, over 3.7 million tonnes were used in 2022, twice the 1990 level (FAO); Asia leads, with China and India on top.
- Manual weeding needs 8-10 hours per acre, so herbicides act like machines that replace labour.
Market size
| Segment | Value (₹ crore) |
|---|---|
| Insecticides | 10,700 |
| Herbicides (fastest growing, over 10% a year) | 8,200 |
| Fungicides | 5,600 |
| Total organised market | 24,500 |
Regulation
- Insecticides Act, 1968 covers the whole pesticide lifecycle.
- CIB&RC (Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee) approves and regulates use.
- India has banned 46 pesticides; Paraquat and Glyphosate are under review.
- The Anupam Verma Committee reviewed 66 pesticides still registered in India though banned elsewhere.
Government initiatives
- NMSA promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
- PKVY supports organic and biopesticide-based farming.
- Kisan Drone Scheme (2022) subsidises drone-based precise spraying.
- Kisan Kavach protective kit, developed by DBT, keeps applicators safe.
Concerns
- Overuse contaminates water and soil, builds pest resistance and harms health.
- No strong approval body like the US EPA or the EU’s EFSA.
- Heavy reliance on multinationals for active ingredients and formulations, owing to weak domestic R&D.
Way forward
- Speed up biopesticide approvals and incentives.
- Enforce rules at state level and curb spurious products.
- Train farmers in need-based use.
- Adopt QR-code traceability.
- Invest in green chemistry, nano-formulations and IPM.
- Phase out Class I pesticides in line with FAO-WHO standards.
Exam angle
- Governing law: Insecticides Act, 1968; approving body: CIB&RC.
- Number of banned pesticides: 46.
- Related schemes: NMSA, PKVY, Kisan Drone Scheme.