CropLife India, an industry body of pesticide manufacturers, on Thursday called for a balanced way forward, which would be to combine regulatory caution with practical support for farmers following the Centre’s plan to ban herbicide Paraquat Dichloride.

Stating that the crop protection needs should not be disrupted during a critical season, it said the government should examine carefully through scientific and regulatory process whenever specific concerns arise with regard to any agrochemical as human health and the environment are the foremost priority.

The industry body, however, refrained from directly opposing the Centre’s plan to ban herbicide Paraquat Dichloride. On May 7, businessline reported on the Centre’s move to impose a nationwide ban on Paraquat Dichloride, one of India’s most widely used herbicides, after an expert panel reviewed evidence linking the chemical to fatal poisoning, kidney failure, lung fibrosis and Parkinson’s disease, potentially disrupting a large agrochemical market involving more than 1,500 licence manufacturers.

‘Address specific concerns’

A committee comprising doctors and agricultural scientists has unanimously recommended complete prohibition on Paraquat Dichloride after examining its toxicity profile and public health impact.

“Any concern linked to farmer safety, poisoning, misuse or unsafe handling must be taken very seriously. Crop protection products are meant to protect crops and farmer incomes, and their use must always be guided by safety, label directions and Good Agricultural Practices. Where specific concerns arise, it is important that they are examined through a careful scientific and regulatory process, with human health and the environment as the foremost priority,” said Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman of CropLife India.

He said that it is equally important to consider the realities farmers are facing on the ground. “This is already a challenging season, with uncertainty around the monsoon, rising pest and disease risks, and pressure on input availability and costs due to global supply disruptions. In such a situation, it becomes important that any regulatory decision is accompanied by timely farmer advisories and clear guidance on approved, affordable and effective alternatives, so that crop protection needs are not disrupted during a critical season,” said Aggarwal, who is also MD, Crystal Crop Protection.

Objective - farmer safety

He suggested measures like safe-use training, improved packaging safeguards, and tighter sale and usage protocols. He further urged the government for strict checks against misuse, unauthorised sale and counterfeit products.

“The shared objective must be to protect farmer safety, consumer confidence and crop productivity together. Farmers should feel supported through any transition, not left with reduced options at a time when every crop decision directly affects their income and harvest,” he said.

Published on May 14, 2026