Concerned over the rampant use of counterfeit pesticides, the committee recommends harsher penalties and tighter regulations to protect farmers and agriculture.
New Delhi (Economy India): A parliamentary standing committee has raised serious concerns over the growing menace of counterfeit agricultural chemicals in India, calling for stringent laws and harsher penalties to deter their production, sale, and use.
The committee’s report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, underlines that the use of fake pesticides and fertilizers not only leads to massive economic losses for farmers but also endangers human health, soil fertility, and food safety.
The panel urged the central government to strengthen existing legislation governing agrochemical regulation, including the Insecticides Act, 1968, by inserting provisions for stricter punishments, increased surveillance, and faster legal recourse against violators.
“The unchecked supply of substandard and fake agricultural inputs is a national concern. Farmers fall prey to deceptive practices, leading to crop failure and financial distress,” the report noted.
In its recommendations, the committee emphasized:
• Amendment of laws to impose severe fines and imprisonment for manufacturers and sellers of counterfeit pesticides.
• Real-time monitoring and tracking systems for the supply chain of agrochemicals.
• Awareness campaigns to educate farmers on identifying genuine products.
• Empowering state agricultural departments with greater enforcement capabilities.
The committee also pointed out the lack of adequate testing laboratories across India, which hampers timely identification of fake agro-products. It called for the establishment of more accredited labs and rapid-testing facilities in rural areas.
India is among the world’s largest users of agricultural chemicals. However, reports suggest that up to 30% of agrochemicals sold in some regions are counterfeit, resulting in an annual loss of thousands of crores for the agricultural sector.
The government’s response to the panel’s report is awaited. However, senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture have assured that steps are underway to update the legal framework under the upcoming Pesticide Management Bill.
With the Kharif season underway, farmers’ groups have also voiced concerns over the increasing circulation of low-quality inputs, demanding immediate action and policy intervention.
(Economy India)
