FICCI finds fake pesticide usage increasing

New Delhi: Use of fake pesticides may “jeopardise” India’s export of 3 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables worth Rs 8,800 crore, says a study.

India has a fairly well-developed agro-chemicals industry, with a size of about Rs 25,000 crore, which not only caters to the domestic demand but is also exported.

“Fake pesticides use may jeopardise India’s status as leading foodgrains, fruits and vegetable exporter,” industry body FICCI said in a statement.

According to the ‘Study on Sub-standard, Spurious/Counterfeit Pesticides in India’, it is estimated that they constitute about 30 per cent of the total market and incidence is increasing at a dangerous pace.

“…export of 3 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables worth Rs 88 billion is also at stake due to non-genuine/illegal pesticides,” the study said.

Incidence of spurious/counterfeit pesticides sector in the country is to the extent of 25 per cent by value and 30 per cent by volume, it added.