In 2023-24, 80,789 pesticide samples were tested across the country, of which 2,222 were found to be spurious, according to information provided by minister of state for agriculture and farmers’ welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 11 February 2025.

The draft Bill aims to regulate the entire lifecycle of pesticides—manufacture, import, packaging, labelling, storage, advertisement, sale, transport, distribution, use and disposal—to ensure that farmers have access to safe and effective products.

How will the bill improve pesticide quality and farmer safety?

A key feature of the proposed law is the mandatory accreditation of pesticide testing laboratories. This is intended to strengthen quality control and ensure that pesticides available in the market meet prescribed safety and efficacy standards. By improving the reliability of testing infrastructure, the government hopes to boost farmer confidence and reduce crop losses caused by substandard or counterfeit products.

The draft also provides for the creation of a registration committee, to be constituted within six months of the Act coming into force. The committee will be responsible for examining applications and taking decisions related to pesticide registrations. The Bill also proposes greater use of technology and digital processes to streamline regulatory approvals and oversight.

What steps does the bill propose to curb illegal and spurious pesticides?

To address the persistent problem of fake and illegal pesticides, the Bill proposes stricter penalties and enhanced enforcement powers. If an offence is committed by a company, both the company and individuals responsible for its operations at the time of the offence will be held liable.

Manufacturing or importing a pesticide without registration could attract imprisonment of up to three years, a fine ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹40 lakh, or both. The draft also allows for compounding of offences, with enhanced penalties designed to act as a deterrent against repeat violations.

These measures are aimed at reducing risks not only to farmers and consumers but also to the environment, where misuse of pesticides can have long-term consequences.

Agrichem

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