REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 marks a significant and much-needed overhaul of India’s pesticide regulatory framework, replacing the decades-old Insecticides Act of 1968. At a time when agriculture faces mounting challenges from climate change, pest resistance, and food safety concerns, updating the law to reflect present-day realities is both timely and necessary.
The government’s emphasis on a farmer-centric approach is a welcome shift. Provisions for transparency, traceability, and improved access to quality pesticides address long-standing concerns of farmers who often bear the brunt of spurious or substandard products. By mandating accreditation of pesticide testing laboratories and introducing stricter penalties for fake pesticides, the Bill strengthens quality assurance while signalling zero tolerance for malpractice.
Equally important is the Bill’s focus on technology-driven reforms. Digitalisation of regulatory processes can reduce delays, improve oversight, and enhance ease of doing business without compromising farmer interests. The inclusion of compounding of offences, with penalties to be defined at the state level, provides flexibility while retaining deterrence—though careful implementation will be key to avoid uneven enforcement across states.
However, the success of the legislation will depend on robust capacity-building at both central and state levels. Regulatory bodies must be adequately staffed and trained to manage new digital systems and enforce stricter norms. Transparency in decision-making and timely grievance redressal will also be crucial to maintain farmer trust.
