Less than 3 percent pesticides in Indian market misbranded FY 2021-22

In India, there are more than 500 formulations registered, about 200 combination pesticides and 80 biopesticides registered. Supply of misbranded pesticide is a critical concern for the Indian government and can directly affect the agriculture production targets of the country.

There have been various reports highlighting the presence of spurious pesticides in the Indian markets. A few reports which came out in the last 5-7 years studied by Krishak Jagat claim that the share of spurious pesticide was to the tune of 30% by volume in some markets. The reports use various words like spurious, misbranded, substandard, counterfeit, non-genuine and illegal pesticides.

Misbranded Pesticides

The Insecticide Act of India uses the term “misbranded” to define product with misleading or missing label content (registration number, representative statement, design/graphics and warnings). It includes product which imitate or are sold under the name of existing insecticide. The term misbranded also represents insecticide which has a toxicity level higher than prescribed or is mixed or packed with any substance which is not included in the registration.

In the last four years (2018-22), a total of 30 complaints related to the supply of misbranded pesticides have been received by the State Governments. In the year 2021-22, a total of 11 complaints were received related to the supply of misbranded pesticides. The table below shows state and year wise count of complaints recorded.

Complaints received from various State Governments related to supply of misbranded pesticides during the last 4 years:

Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

As per the Insecticides Act, 1968, Insecticide Inspectors are appointed by the Central / State Governments with powers to search premises, seize documents, stop distribution or sale of insecticides and take insecticide samples for analysis. Such analyses are carried out by Insecticide Analysts appointed by Central / State Governments.

Quality Control Infrastructure in India

At present, 191 Central Government officers and 11,401 State Governments officers are notified as Insecticide Inspectors to check the quality of pesticides distributed/sold to the farmers by way of inspection of manufacturing firms/sale points etc. To ensure availability of quality pesticides, 70 pesticide testing laboratories (SPTL) and 6 State Bio-Pesticide Testing Laboratories (SBTLs) are established in 25 States and 2 Union Territories with a total annual capacity to test 77,660 samples.

Analysing the data of samples collected for quality control in the last 4 years concluded that 2.52% of samples were reported as misbranded. For the period 2021-22 (samples collected till December 2022), total samples analysed were 53,181 of which 1,530 were found to be misbranded. The data in the below table shows percentage of misbranded products, prosecution launched and accused convicted.

Table shows analysis of samples for quality control in state pesticide testing laboratory during last 4 years:

Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Offences related to import, manufacture or sale of ‘misbranded’ insecticides are punishable with imprisonment up to two years and/or fine between Rs. 10,000 to 50,000.

If we take a look at the number of samples analysed in the last 4 years, the average value is just above 60 thousand samples. The total samples analysed in the last two years have reduced to a value which is below 4 year average. The reason for low sampling must be covid norms restricting activities and movement across India.

There is no doubt about misbranded pesticides being sold in market but the quantum is very low. However, we are not sure if the percentage of misbranded pesticides will go up as the testing increases. With the current procedural operations the data shows 2.88% of misbranded pesticides found to be sold in the market in the year 2021-22 (data up till December 2021).

The government needs to push the annual testing capacity and sampling by many folds which will help maintain quality products available for the 12+ crore farmers in India. This will also strengthen India’s agriculture production capacity and self-sufficiency.