E-Commerce Boom Linked to Illegal Biopesticide Sales in India
25 March 2026, New Delhi: The Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) has sounded a strong warning over the rapid proliferation of unregistered biopesticides, alleged adulteration with chemical pesticides, and the growing role of e-commerce platforms in facilitating their sale across India.
These concerns were presented during a meeting with the Joint Secretary – Plant Protection, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare where the federation urged immediate regulatory intervention to safeguard farmers, ensure product integrity, and maintain trust in the crop protection ecosystem. The federation has estimated the size of this illicit biopesticide sale to be about 8,000 crores in the country.
Representing the industry, S. Ganesan, Legal Expert, CCFI highlighted that the biopesticide segment, while critical for sustainable agriculture, is expanding in a largely unchecked manner. According to him, this unchecked growth is not only distorting the market but is also beginning to adversely impact the indigenous agrochemical industry.
Doubts Raised Over Claims of Certain “Biopesticide” Products
A key illustration presented by CCFI during the meeting centred around a product marketed as a biopesticide under the name “Terminator-11.” The federation pointed out that the product reportedly contains only 0.9 percent clove oil, equivalent to 9 grams per litre, as its declared active ingredient. Despite this, it is sold at a premium price of approximately ₹4,907 per litre, even as pure clove oil is available in the market at significantly lower prices.
The recommended application of the product further raised concerns. According to the label, a dosage equivalent to just 4 grams of the product per acre or 400 ml in 200 litres of water is claimed to effectively control major crop pests such as Helicoverpa (Heliothis), Spodoptera, aphids and whiteflies. CCFI questioned the scientific validity of such claims, stating that no credible evidence has been demonstrated to support such efficacy at extremely low dosages.
The federation also raised the possibility that such products may contain undisclosed chemical pesticides, suggesting that the “bio” label is, in some cases, being used to exploit farmer trust. It further noted that aggressive promotion through online videos and digital platforms has contributed to widespread acceptance of such products without adequate scrutiny or accountability.
A Market Structure Showing Emerging Imbalances
CCFI’s presentation also outlined the current structure of India’s crop protection market, estimated at around ₹45,000 crore for registered chemical pesticides, accounting for nearly 84 percent of the total market. Registered and legitimate biopesticides contribute approximately ₹1,000 crore, or 2 percent, while unregistered and illegal biopesticides are estimated to constitute around ₹8,000 crore, or 15 percent.
India’s Crop Protection Market Structure (Estimated 2025)
| Segment | Market Size (₹ Cr) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Chemical Pesticides | 45,000 | 84% |
| Registered Biopesticides | 1,000 | 2% |
| Unregistered / Illegal Biopesticides | 8,000 | 15% |
| Total Market | 54,000 | 100% |
Under the Insecticides Act 1968 and the Rules of 1971, the manufacture, import, sale or distribution of any pesticide without registration from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee is prohibited. Registration ensures that products meet safety standards for humans, animals and the environment.
Despite these provisions, CCFI highlighted that unregistered biopesticides continue to be widely available, both through traditional retail channels and increasingly through online platforms. The federation questioned whether enforcement mechanisms, including periodic inspections mandated under existing rules, are being implemented effectively enough to curb the spread of illegal products.
Data Indicates Limited Share of Substandard Agrochemical Products
Harish Mehta, Senior Advisor with CCFI also presented data to contextualise concerns around substandard pesticides. According to figures shared in the Lok Sabha (Parliament of India) over the past five years, the proportion of samples found to be below standard ranged between 1.17 percent and 2.7 percent. These figures were further supported by Right To Information (RTI) data compiled by the federation from 28 agriculturally important states over an eight-year period, which indicated that approximately 2.45 percent of samples did not meet prescribed specifications.
| Period of Sample Drawn | Pesticide Samples Drawn for QualityTesting | Pesticides sample not meeting specification /substandard | Total percentage of samples found substandard |
| 2017-2018 | 61409 | 1345 | 2.19% |
| 2018-2019 | 59729 | 1353 | 2.26% |
| 2019-2020 | 64123 | 1619 | 2.52% |
| 2020-2021 | 66467 | 1573 | 2.36% |
| 2021-2022 | 39542 | 1173 | 2.96% |
| 2022-2023 | 45251 | 1201 | 2.65% |
| 2023-2024 | 40193 | 1007 | 2.50% |
| 2024-2025 | 41766 | 1002 | 2.39% |
| Total | 418480 | 10273 | 2.45% |
The federation emphasised that the term “spurious” does not have a formal definition under the Insecticides Act. It further noted that Indian agrochemical products consistently meet global quality standards, as evidenced by export consignments to 167 countries that have not faced rejection on quality grounds.
Call for Stronger Enforcement and Market Discipline
In its recommendations, CCFI stressed the need for a more robust and coordinated enforcement framework across the value chain. This includes enhanced physical inspections of manufacturing units, tighter scrutiny during the registration process, and improved monitoring of licensing systems for distributors and dealers.
The federation also highlighted the importance of introducing measures such as pilfer-proof packaging, systematic sampling and testing at ports, and stricter checks on the resale of technical-grade pesticides at unusually low prices. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to monitor e-commerce platforms, which are increasingly becoming channels for the sale of unregistered or illegal products.
Farmers, the federation noted, must also play a role by insisting on proper invoices with GST details to ensure traceability and enable grievance redressal in case of product-related issues.
Government Assures Action, Focus on E-Commerce and PMB 2025
Responding to the concerns raised, the government assured that the role of e-commerce platforms in pesticide sales would be examined more closely. It also indicated that provisions under the proposed Pesticide Management Bill (PMB) 2025 would address regulatory gaps, including distinguishing between intentional and unintentional cases of non-compliance.
Also Read: India Issues Draft Rules for Amendment to Its Insecticides Rules, 1971
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