Archive · 18 Sep 2026
India’s Integrated Pest Management System Touted to Fight Counterfeit Pesticides
India wants farmers to be able to tell whether pesticides are genuine.
An agriculture official said a national pest-management database could help track products from sellers to farms.
This could make it harder for counterfeit pesticides to reach farmers.
Industry leaders also discussed using artificial intelligence to identify pests and recommend the right treatment.
They said robotics, digital tools, better seeds and gene editing may become more important.
A new report said pests and diseases cause crop losses worth about ₹2 lakh crore.
The report also said India may have 10% less sown farmland by 2050 because some land may be used for cities.
It recommended more research, digital services and regulatory changes to help farmers grow more.
A Central Insecticides Board official said full implementation of India’s National Integrated Pest Management System could help eliminate counterfeit pesticides.
The system’s database supports track-and-trace checks through an established dealer network, according to the official.
Industry leaders called for greater use of artificial intelligence, digital channels, robotics, enhanced seeds and gene editing in agriculture.
A CropLife India–Yes Bank report estimated pest and disease-related crop losses at ₹2 lakh crore.
The report projected India’s net sown area could decline by 10% by 2050 because of urban land conversion and urged regulatory and research reforms.
- Who
- Subhash Chand, the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee secretary, CropLife India, Yes Bank and crop-protection industry leaders.
- What
- Officials and industry representatives discussed using India’s National Integrated Pest Management System, artificial intelligence and other technologies to improve crop protection and combat counterfeit pesticides.
- When
- The conference was reported on September 18, 2026; it took place on Thursday, according to the article.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To improve pesticide authenticity, help farmers make better pest-management decisions, address crop losses and prepare agriculture for climate and land-use pressures.
- National IPMS function
- Its database enables track-and-trace through an established dealer network, according to the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee secretary.
- Conference
- National Conference on ‘AI for Agriculture Transformation’.
- Organiser
- CropLife India, which represents 17 research and development-driven crop-protection companies.
- Estimated crop losses
- The CropLife India–Yes Bank report estimated pest- and disease-related crop yield losses at ₹2 lakh crore.
- Projected land change
- India’s net sown area could shrink by 10% by 2050 because of conversion for urban uses.
- Proposed reforms
- The report recommended greater digitalisation, stronger farmer extension services, domestic research incentives, One Nation One Licence and five-year Regulatory Data Protection.
- Industry outlook
- Panelists discussed the future of crop protection and agriculture through 2035, including AI, robotics, digital channels, enhanced seeds and gene editing.