Hexaconazole Added to the List of Insecticides Banned for Basmati Paddy in Punjab
25 July 2025, New Delhi: In a decisive step to safeguard the export quality of Punjab’s world-renowned Basmati rice, the Punjab Government has issued a revised notification expanding the list of banned insecticides for the Basmati paddy season. With the latest order dated 15 July 2025, Hexaconazole has been added as the 12th insecticide to the previously announced list.
The ban, originally published in the official gazette on 10 May 2025, will come into effect from 1 August 2025 and will remain valid for 60 days. It prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of the listed insecticides specifically on Basmati rice crops across Punjab.
The move follows repeated recommendations by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, and the Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association, citing concerns about pesticide residues exceeding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in exported Basmati rice. Residues of banned molecules have previously led to rejection of consignments in international markets, jeopardizing the state’s export earnings and reputation.
Updated List of Banned Insecticides on Basmati Paddy in Punjab:
- Acephate
- Buprofezin
- Chlorpyriphos
- Propiconazole
- Thiamethoxam
- Profenofos
- Carbendazim
- Tricyclazole
- Tebuconazole
- Carbofuran
- Imidacloprid
- Hexaconazole (newly added as per 15 July 2025 notification)
The Department of Agriculture has urged farmers to avoid these formulations and instead opt for low-residue, export-compliant alternatives available in the market. Extension agencies have also been directed to create awareness among growers regarding the revised list and implications of non-compliance.
Farmers are advised to strictly adhere to the notification starting 1 August 2025, as any violation may attract legal action under the Insecticides Act, 1968. The enforcement aims to strengthen India’s agri-export position and maintain the premium image of Punjab’s Basmati rice globally.
Also Read: Seizure of 1 Lakh Fake Fertilizer Bags Sparks National Concern Among Indian Farmers
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