Introduction
Pesticide regulation in India aims to ensure the safe manufacture, import, sale, transport, storage, distribution and use of pesticides while protecting human health, agriculture, animals and the environment. The regulatory framework seeks to balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability and public safety.
Legal Framework
Insecticides Act, 1968
- Principal legislation regulating pesticides in India.
- Came into force in 1971.
- Regulates the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of insecticides and pesticides.
- Seeks to prevent risks to human beings and animals from pesticides.
Insecticides Rules, 1971
- Framed under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Prescribe procedures for registration, licensing, labelling, packaging, storage and quality control.
Note: The proposed Pesticides Management Bill is intended to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968, but it has not yet been enacted.
Institutional Framework
Central Insecticides Board (CIB)
- Established under Section 4 of the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Advises the Central and State Governments on technical matters relating to pesticides.
- Recommends measures for safe use and regulation.
Registration Committee (RC)
- Constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968.
- Functions under the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC).
- Registers pesticides after evaluating:
- Safety
- Efficacy
- Quality
- Risks to humans, animals and the environment
- Can impose restrictions or refuse registration where necessary.
Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS)
- Functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
- Acts as the secretariat for the CIB&RC.
- Oversees implementation of pesticide regulations.
State Governments
Responsible for:
- Granting licences for manufacture and sale.
- Inspection and enforcement.
- Sampling and quality testing.
- Action against misbranded, substandard or spurious pesticides.
Registration Process
Before a pesticide can be marketed in India, it must undergo:
- Scientific evaluation.
- Bio-efficacy trials.
- Toxicity assessment.
- Environmental risk assessment.
- Registration by the Registration Committee.
Quality Control Measures
- Licensing of manufacturers and dealers.
- Periodic sampling and laboratory testing.
- Standards for packaging and labelling.
- Monitoring of pesticide residues.
- Action against counterfeit and misbranded products.
Challenges
- Excessive and indiscriminate pesticide use.
- Presence of counterfeit and substandard pesticides.
- Occupational exposure among farmers.
- Pesticide residues in food and water.
- Environmental pollution and biodiversity loss.
- Limited awareness regarding safe handling and disposal.
Government Initiatives
- Promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
- Encouragement of bio-pesticides and eco-friendly alternatives.
- Farmer awareness programmes on safe pesticide use.
- Monitoring of pesticide residues in agricultural produce.
- Strengthening quality control laboratories.
Way Forward
- Enact a modern, science-based pesticide regulatory framework.
- Promote sustainable and climate-resilient pest management.
- Increase adoption of bio-pesticides and precision agriculture.
- Strengthen surveillance against illegal and counterfeit pesticides.
- Improve farmer training on safe handling, storage and disposal.
- Enhance residue monitoring and environmental risk assessment.
Conclusion
India’s pesticide regulatory framework, centred on the Insecticides Act, 1968, plays a vital role in ensuring agricultural productivity while protecting human health and the environment. Strengthening regulation, promoting safer alternatives and improving enforcement will be essential for achieving sustainable agriculture and food safety.
