Why in news?
New data released in August 2025 show significant shifts in India’s pesticide sector. Insecticides, herbicides and fungicides dominate a market estimated at around ₹24,500 crore, with herbicides gaining the fastest share.
Current structure of the market
- The organised pesticide market is valued at about ₹24,500 crore in 2025.
- Insecticides account for roughly ₹10,700 crore, herbicides about ₹8,200 crore and fungicides about ₹5,600 crore.
- Multinational companies like Bayer, Syngenta, ADAMA and Corteva control large shares, though Indian firms such as Dhanuka and Crystal Crop are making inroads through acquisitions.
Why are herbicides booming?
- Labour shortages: Rural farm labour has become scarce and expensive. Manual weeding requires 8–10 hours per acre, whereas herbicide spraying takes only 1–2 hours.
- Pre‑emergent spray adoption: Farmers are increasingly applying herbicides at or before sowing to suppress weeds and reduce follow‑up costs.
- Mechanisation: Herbicides complement tractors and seed drills by reducing the need for manual hoeing.
- Corporate marketing: Multinationals promote broad‑spectrum herbicides, often bundling them with seeds and fertilisers.
Implications of changing trends
- Labour market: Declining demand for manual weeders may push rural workers to seek other livelihoods.
- Cost and yield: Herbicides can reduce labour costs and improve yields by curbing early weed competition.
- Food security: Better weed control may raise grain output, contributing to food security.
- Environmental concerns: Overuse of chemicals can harm soil microorganisms and beneficial insects.
Policy challenges and way forward
- Over‑reliance on chemicals: Farmers need guidance on integrated weed management combining mechanical, cultural and chemical methods.
- Pricing and access: Ensuring affordable herbicides for smallholders and preventing black‑market sales are essential.
- Domestic R&D: India must invest in developing its own herbicides and molecules to reduce dependence on imports.
- Safety norms: Strengthen regulation and farmer training on safe usage, storage and disposal of chemicals.
- Sustainable practices: Promote crop rotation, cover crops and biological weed control through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). Direct benefit transfer schemes could help small farmers procure safer herbicides.
Overall, the herbicide boom is driven by labour shortages and demand for efficiency, but long‑term sustainability requires balanced weed management and stronger domestic research.