Top 10 Myths About Pesticide Use in India
Guest Author: Harish Mehta, Senior Advisor, Crop Care Federation of India
01 May 2025, New Delhi: India’s agricultural success is often overshadowed by a wave of misinformation surrounding the use of pesticides. From exaggerated claims about residues in food to unfounded links with cancer and suicides, these myths continue to shape public perception and policy decisions—frequently without scientific basis. As India strives toward self-reliance in food production and exports, it becomes crucial to separate fact from fiction and present data-backed realities. This article aims to debunk the most persistent myths about pesticide use in India and highlight the country’s responsible and efficient practices in crop protection.
Myth 1: Indian Farmers Use Excessive Pesticides
Reality: India is the second-largest agricultural producer globally, yet it ranks only 12th in pesticide use. Countries like China, the USA, France, and Japan use significantly more pesticides than India, both per unit area and per unit of agricultural output.
| Country | Pesticide Use (kg/ha) |
|---|---|
| India | 0.38 |
| China | 11.0 |
| Japan | 10.9 |
| France/Germany | 3.7 |
| UK | 2.8 |
India spends only USD 2.5 billion on crop protection chemicals, which is 0.8% of its total agricultural production. Yet, for every USD 2.5 spent, India produces USD 126 worth of food—higher than countries like the US, Japan, and Brazil. Through farmer training programs (FTP), farmers are educated to follow prescribed government norms on dosage, crop specificity, and timing of pesticide application.
Myth 2: Indian Agricultural Produce Contains Excessive Pesticide Residues
Reality: The All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues has consistently shown that only 2.2% of agricultural produce samples exceed the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), meaning 98% are well within safety standards. India’s record compares favorably with other nations:
| Country | Samples Analyzed | % Above MRL |
|---|---|---|
| India | 20,618 | 2.2% |
| Canada | 18,000 | 1.8% |
| USA | 1,905 | 2.8% |
| EU | 80,967 | 2.6% |
| Brazil | 13,556 | 3.0% |
Samples included food grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, eggs, meat, fish, spices, and tea. MRLs are trade standards, not health-based safety thresholds, and India maintains compliance in line with global expectations.
Myth 3: Pesticide Use Has Led to High Cancer Rates in India
Reality: According to the WHO and ICMR, India ranks 172nd globally in cancer incidence. Countries like Australia, the USA, and Ireland have far higher rates. The states with the highest cancer rates in India—Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Sikkim—use minimal pesticides. Punjab, often targeted in such claims, ranks only 24th.
| Country | Cancer Incidence (per 100,000) |
|---|---|
| USA | 362 |
| Singapore | 233 |
| Global Average | 201 |
| India | 106 |
Notably, none of the 120 substances in Group I of the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)—those proven to cause cancer in humans—are agrochemicals. This myth is clearly unfounded and often fueled by lifestyle-related misconceptions.
Myth 4: Farmers Are Harmed by Spray Drift
Reality: Pesticides are heavily diluted—up to 99% water—before being sprayed. Accidental exposure through spray drift is unlikely to cause harm, especially when basic protective gear is used. Training on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, face shields, aprons, and boots, is now standard practice across many farmer education programs. Studies on drone-based applications are also underway to further reduce human exposure.
Myth 5: The Indian Market is Flooded with Spurious Pesticides
Reality: The term “spurious” does not even exist in the Insecticides Act of 1968. Between 2015 and 2020, of 3,38,182 government-analyzed samples, only 1.17% failed to meet quality specifications.
(Source: Lok Sabha responses to Unstarred Questions 309 and 4534 by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar)
There has been misreporting regarding crop losses and fake inputs, often quoting IARI and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs out of context. No official data confirms widespread use of counterfeit agrochemicals.
Myth 6: Pesticides Are Polluting India’s Water Systems
Reality: India ranks as the second-largest fish-producing country globally. Fish are highly sensitive to water pollutants, yet states like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab—which use considerable pesticides—lead in inland fish productivity, recording 6,560 kg per acre. This proves that India’s inland water bodies are not polluted to the extent alleged.
Myth 7: Pesticides Are a Leading Cause of Suicides
Reality: Suicides are a complex social issue. WHO data shows over 800,000 people die by suicide globally each year, with Japan’s suicide rate 60% above the global average. In India, 93% of suicides are by non-farmers. Among farmers, the primary causes include financial stress, illness, and drug abuse—not pesticide exposure.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that Sikkim, which bans pesticide use, has a suicide rate four times that of Punjab. Moreover, hanging remains the most common method of suicide in India, not poisoning.
Myth 8: India Uses Pesticides Banned in Other Countries
Reality: Pesticide approvals vary by country based on local climate, pests, and regulations. India’s registration process is rigorous and sovereign. Many pesticides banned in India are still in use elsewhere:
| Pesticide | Countries Still Using |
|---|---|
| Aldicarb | USA, China, Mexico |
| Carbaryl | USA, Canada, Brazil |
| Diazinon | Australia, Japan |
| DDVP | USA, Canada, China |
| Phorate | USA, Canada, Australia |
India has 290 registered pesticides compared to 681 in China and 583 in Japan. Over 70% of the global market is for generics—time-tested and effective molecules that are still in use.
Myth 9: Organic and Bio-Pesticides Are Safer Than Chemical Pesticides
Reality: All pesticides—organic, bio, or synthetic—undergo the same safety and efficacy testing before they are registered. Less than 1% of global farmland is certified organic, and in India, the figure is even lower at 0.8%.
A Stanford University study found no significant nutritional difference between organic and conventional produce. Furthermore, a government study of 405 organic vegetable samples found that 12.3% still contained detectable pesticide residues.
Myth 10: Indian Manufacturers Cannot Meet Global Quality Standards
Reality: Indian manufacturers supply agrochemicals to over 130 countries and account for 80% of India’s pesticide exports. Their products often surpass imported ones in quality and purity. Once produced indigenously, prices fall by 50–75%. Despite attempts by some multinationals to block post-patent competition, Indian companies continue to invest heavily in R&D and innovation.
In 2021–22, India’s agrochemical sector recorded a trade surplus of ₹23,000 crore, with exports worth ₹36,521 crore against imports of ₹13,363 crore. This reflects the strength and quality of India’s crop protection industry.
Misinformation around pesticide use in India needs urgent correction. Facts, not fear, should guide our understanding of crop protection. With increasing farmer awareness, improved regulatory standards, and a thriving domestic manufacturing sector, India is well on its way to becoming a global leader in sustainable and science-based agriculture.
About the Author
Harish Mehta is an Agricultural Engineer with an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi. With over 45 years of experience in marketing and media relations, he has worked with leading agri-input companies like Sandoz (now Syngenta) and Shriram Fertilizers. Currently, he serves as Senior Advisor at the Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI), which represents 50 major Indian agrochemical manufacturers. He is also actively involved in farmer training and the ‘Make in India’ initiative to promote a self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) Bharat.
Also Read: Coromandel International Announces Financial Results; Crop Protection Revenue Reaches Rs. 2,635 Cr
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