The sale of counterfeit fertilizers, seeds and pesticides in branded packaging has always impacted farmers across India. A considerable portion of the pesticide market is made up of non-genuine products which can be counterfeit, adulterated, substandard or otherwise ineffective. These inferior formulations fail to control pests efficiently, sometimes leaving harmful residues that degrade soil quality and damage the environment. The consequences of using such products extend beyond crop loss; they also reduce soil fertility, cause financial losses to farmers and affect agrochemical companies. The widespread use of these products can be attributed to multiple factors including lack of awareness among farmers, difficulty in distinguishing genuine products from counterfeits, gaps in the supply chain, weak enforcement of regulations and the influence of distributors and retailers. Government agencies have been taking measures to curb this issue. In Jammu and Kashmir, for instance, the agriculture department tested over 3,010 pesticide samples in 2024–25 of which 58 were found to be substandard while 1,005 test results are still pending. The department has implemented strict protocols such as testing fertilizers at Udhampur Rack before their transportation to the Kashmir Valley and conducting random checks on pesticides from wholesalers and retailers. Legal action is taken against those found violating quality standards. Data shows that 32 prosecutions have been launched against offenders resulting in fines totalling Rs 55,000. Similarly, out of 1,065 fertilizer samples collected, 28 were substandard leading to 26 prosecutions, one conviction and a fine of Rs 3,000. A research report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in 2015 estimated that India’s crop protection industry was valued at Rs 250 billion in the 2014 fiscal year. In 2013, non-genuine pesticides accounted for Rs 32 billion making up 25% of the market by value and 30% by volume. The study warned that if left unchecked, these counterfeit products could make up 40% of the pesticide industry’s market share by 2019. Furthermore, the report projected that overall crop yield in India could decline by 4% if non-genuine pesticides continued to hold a 25% share of the market. Addressing this issue requires multiple measures. One effective strategy is to establish helpline numbers where farmers can seek guidance on pesticide usage including dosage and frequency of application. Agrochemical companies can also use distributor meetings to promote the importance of genuine products targeting specific market areas at crucial times of the year. Training programmes can be introduced to help distributors identify and source genuine products ensuring they only purchase from verified suppliers. Partnerships between companies and agricultural institutions can also play a crucial role in raising awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pesticides. Universities and colleges offering agricultural programmes can be engaged in awareness campaigns helping to spread knowledge to rural areas. Alongside these measures, stronger legal frameworks are necessary to combat the menace of counterfeit and substandard agricultural inputs. Stricter penalties, better enforcement of existing regulations and improved surveillance in the supply chain can help reduce the circulation of these harmful products.
Farming Threat
