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A report published in October 2020 shows that in India, the annual production loss due to pests and diseases was estimated at `90,000 crore. According to RG Agarwal, Group Chairman, Dhanuka Agritech, “At present these losses may be around `5 lakh crore despite the fact that we use around 60,000 tons of pesticides.” The use of pesticides helps farmers sustain agricultural production.  

Some issues of the use of pesticides

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimated that in developing countries, different types of pests, weeds, and diseases destroy about 40% of crops while they are still in the fields. It also estimated that out of this, six to seven percent are destroyed after the harvest. In Africa and Asia, the pre-harvest losses are estimated at 50%. Several studies found that the global loss of crop due to pests is between one-third and half of the attainable crop production. The situation in developing countries is far worse. Insects, pathogens, and weeds are the top three crop damaging agents worldwide.

But on the flipside, the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture has been an integral part of crop production globally. In many cases, these chemical pesticides have been over-used in an unscientific way. There have studies which state that many of the chemical pesticides used pose significant ecological and human risks. It is also estimated that around 8,00,000 people in developing countries have died due to pesticides since the beginning of Green Revolution. Nearly 20,000 people in developing countries die each year because of excessive pesticide consumption through their food. Moreover, it is also known that all sections of the population are exposed to the risk of pesticides at different levels.  

India scenario

India is in the 4th position in global suppliers of agrochemicals after the US, Japan, and China. The total market of it was `214 billion in 2019. A study observed that the market could reach `316 billion by 2024. But due to pandemic or other economic disturbances, the situation may not be as bright as it was estimated. The India pesticide industry is the biggest in Asia and 12th largest in the world and yet 35-45% crop production is lost due to insects, weeds, and crop diseases while 35% crop produces are lost during storage.

In October 2020, competent authorities proposed that 27 types of pesticides be banned. It was reported that if the proposal was implemented then at least 25% of the pesticide industry in India would face a crisis of existence. According to Agarwal, “At present market rates, these losses may be around `5 lakh crore despite the fact that we use around 60,000 tons of pesticides.” He also pointed out that the use of pesticides was one of the lowest in India (less than 0.5kg/hectare) as compared to other agriculturally important countries like China.

A few days ago, the Indian Pest Control Association (IPCA) observed it 55th Annual Convocation 2022 in Kolkata and various relevant matters were discussed. Prakash Sasidharan, President, IPCA said that they were interested in new inventions which were related to public health, particularly, after the Covid-19 pandemic. He added that the industry is now looking to serve customers better without hampering the ecosystem.