CropLife India Launches Campaign Against Illegal Pesticides

In August 2026, CropLife India launched a digital awareness campaign in order to help farmers identify and avoid ecologically damaging pesticides, targeting more than 2.5 million farmers across 13 states. The initiative was deployed with aims to improve awareness about genuine crop-protection products while encouraging farmers to purchase pesticides only from authorized sources and follow recommended application practices.

Launching the campaign, the company emphasized the fact that farmers need greater awareness of genuine agricultural inputs to protect crops, improve productivity and safeguard their livelihoods. They also highlighted the increasing need for coordinated action involving farmers, manufacturers, dealers, scientists and government agencies to address the challenge of illicit pesticides.

Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, formally launched the campaign under the theme “Be an Aware Farmer, Choose Genuine Pesticide.” The campaign will reach farmers across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat. To improve accessibility, CropLife India will disseminate awareness messages in Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil and Punjabi.

Impact on the Chemical Market

The company’s initiative will help farmers distinguish genuine crop-protection products from illicit or unauthorized pesticides. It will also promote responsible pesticide use and encourage farmers to buy products through authorized channels. As part of the campaign, farmers will be encouraged to purchase pesticides only from trusted and authorized sources, always ask for an invoice or bill when purchasing pesticides, check product labels carefully before use, and follow recommended dosage and application practices. These measures can help farmers reduce the risks associated with unauthorized products while supporting safer and more effective crop protection.

Impact on the Agrochemicals Market

The global agrochemicals market size is calculated at USD 242.49 billion in 2025 and is predicted to reach around USD 322.18 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 2.90% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, the demand for agrochemicals is growing to secure harvests from disturbing pest losses, grow crop yields, and substitute important soil nutrients. With the globe's population growing and cultivable land shrinking, farmers totally depend on such chemical solutions to ensure worldwide food security. The expanding global population, combined with rising propensity, is causing a shift in purchasing habits. Not only must supply be increased to satisfy demand, but also the nutritional demands of an increasingly affluent population must be satisfied. The wastage results from diminishing agricultural land and crop losses owing to pest infestations, posing a serious threat to food and nutritional security. The agrochemicals sector is a vital support sector for agriculture that helps farmers produce more quantity. These elements are contributing to the expansion of the agrochemicals market.

One of the most promising trends in agrochemical pesticides is the move towards organic and bio-based choices. Due to rising user demand for residue-free products and strict eco-friendly regulations, the sector is shifting far from regular synthetic chemicals in terms of sustainable options. The regulatory scenario is growing quickly, which encourages the use of agrochemical pesticides globally. Worldwide, debates around molecules such as glyphosate and chlorpyrifos have continued, with limitations of security studies that are emphasized on demand for transparent research. The move towards regenerative agriculture solves such issues that concentrate on lowering the synthetic inputs. Bio-based agrochemical pesticides also serve as a direction forward, which assist climate-intelligent rules that protect soil health.

Impact on the Crop Protection Chemicals Market

The global crop protection chemicals market size is valued at USD 81.25 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 85.80 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 138.28 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 5.46% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, due to environmental concerns and the potential to prevent insecticide development in biological environments, the key market players in the crop protection chemicals market are ramping up manufacturing of biopesticides. Biopesticides have been discovered to provide more targeted activity to desired pests, as opposed to traditional pesticides, which often harm a wide range of insects and birds. The biopesticides are becoming more popular among crop protection chemical manufacturers, as standard insecticides have been linked to health risks for farmers and employees after continuous exposure. The demand for biopesticides is further rising due to an increase in sustainable agriculture methods and organic farming, combined with pest management.

The industry is also shifting towards more sustainable practices, driven by high demand for bio-based and eco-friendly solutions, including biopesticides, green solvents, and low-residue formulations. Major companies all over the world are actively investing in R&D and collaborations in order to align with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. There is also a growing startup scene that is focused on innovation in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and digital agriculture. These new firms are creating solutions like AI-driven pest detection, drone-based applications, and new biopesticide formulations.

Expert Opinion

Durgesh Chandra, Secretary General, CropLife India, said greater farmer awareness will play an important role in tackling the issue of illicit pesticides. He emphasized that empowering farmers with the right knowledge is essential for building a stronger agricultural sector. Furthermore, he called for collective efforts among stakeholders to promote genuine agricultural products and safe crop-protection practices. As reported by global-agriculture.com, through the campaign, CropLife India aims to strengthen farmer awareness and encourage informed purchasing decisions, contributing to a safer, more transparent, and quality-driven agricultural input ecosystem.