Skip to main content

India's 11% Biocontrol: A Challenge to India's Sustainability

“Only 11% of India's crop protection is biological. For a nation striving for sustainability, is this progress or a problem?” This single statistic reveals the central challenge at the heart of modern Indian agriculture.

  

An infographic titled "Sustainability via Biological Control" by AgriTel, highlighting that only 11% of India uses biological control methods. The image features a farmer spraying crops with a backpack sprayer in a green field, with a ladybug symbolizing biological pest control. The circular design shows a small 11% segment, contrasting with the larger portion representing conventional methods. The bottom includes the website "www.devaharsha.in.agritelmedia" and a green energy logo.
India's 11% Biocontrol: A Challenge to India's Sustainability

Understanding India's Reliance on Synthetic Pesticides

In the 2023–24 period, India consumed a staggering 67,964 metric tons (MT) of synthetic pesticides. The usage is heavily concentrated in key agricultural states, with the top users being:

  • Uttar Pradesh (13,275 MT)

  • Maharashtra (8,719 MT)

  • Punjab, Telangana, West Bengal & Haryana

This highlights a deep reliance on chemical inputs to manage pests and diseases, often driven by factors like climate stress, pest outbreaks, and monoculture farming practices.

The Rise of Bio-Pesticides

But the story isn't entirely bleak. There is a positive trend emerging. In the same period, the use of bio-pesticides rose to 7,816 MT, a steady and encouraging increase from approximately 5,000 MT just five years ago. States like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh are leading the way in adopting this greener approach to pest management.

This increase is undeniable progress. It shows a growing awareness and acceptance of biological alternatives.

The 11% Dilemma: Progress or Problem?

Here is the core of the issue: while the use of bio-pesticides is rising (progress), they still only account for about 11% of the total pesticides used (a problem). For a nation with ambitious sustainability goals, this number is a stark reminder that our journey has only just begun. The overwhelming dominance of synthetic chemicals shows that biologicals are still a niche, not the norm. This dependency has well-documented risks, including the kind of ecological damage seen in the deadly alliance between pesticides and Varroa mites that harms our vital pollinators.

The Path Forward: How to Bridge the Gap

To turn this 11% into a majority, a concerted effort is needed from all stakeholders. The key steps include:

  1. Mainstream IPM Practices: We must aggressively promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM), making it the default approach, not an alternative.

  2. Stronger Regulation: We need robust regulation and quality control for bio-inputs to ensure farmers are getting effective, reliable products.

  3. Farmer Training: Extensive training programs are essential to teach farmers how to apply biological agents safely and effectively for the best results.

  4. Policy Incentives: Government policies should actively incentivize the use of green inputs while creating disincentives for over-reliance on chemical solutions.

 My Perspective

From my perspective as an agricultural entomologist and in my role as Co-founder & Scientific Advisor at Agri Tej Media, these statistics tell a story of a system in transition. The challenge is no longer just inventing new biological controls; it's about solving the "last-mile" problem. We have the tools, but we lack the robust ecosystem of quality control, farmer trust, and policy support to scale them. Closing the 89% gap requires a fundamental shift in mindset—from reactive chemical spraying to proactive ecosystem management.

You Might Also Like:

About the Author

Anka Pujitha Suddapalli is the Co-founder & Scientific Advisor of Agri Tej Media. As a passionate Agricultural Entomologist, her vision is to empower farmers and agricultural communities to adopt sustainable agriculture practices and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. She is committed to advancing the science of biological control, leveraging nature's solutions to manage insect pests and promote eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/ankapujithaentomology/ 

My Blog: EntoSphere by Pujitha 

Publications: https://sites.google.com/view/ankapujithaentomology/publications 

Agri Tej Media: https://www.devaharsha.in/agritej-media

What do you believe is the single biggest reason farmers hesitate to adopt biological pesticides? Share your perspective in the comments.

#Pujitha #PujithaEntomology #AnkaPujithaSuddapalli #AgriTej #AgriTejMedia #PesticideUse #Biopesticides #SustainableAgriculture #IndiaAgriculture #IPM #CropProtection #AgriPolicy #SustainabilityGap #FarmerTraining

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for reading! Drop your thoughts or questions below.

Popular posts from this blog

Beyond Bt Cotton: What's Holding Back India's GM Crop Revolution?

 " India ranks 4th in the world for GM crop cultivation, yet only grows one. The question is: what’s holding us back?” This is one of the biggest paradoxes in modern Indian agriculture. Beyond Bt Cotton: What's Holding Back India's GM Crop Revolution?      It has been nearly three decades since the first major genetically modified (GM) crops were commercially cultivated worldwide. Yet, as of today, only one GM crop is approved for commercial cultivation in India: Bt Cotton . The Case of GM Mustard (DMH-11): So Close, Yet So Far The most prominent example of this stagnation is GM Mustard (DMH-11). Despite being approved for environmental release by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) back in October 2022, it is still not being commercially cultivated. Developed by the University of Delhi’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP ) , DMH-11 contains genes from a soil bacterium that enable more efficient hybridization, boosting potential ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Editing the Future: How CRISPR Gene Editing is Building Pest-Proof Crops in India

What if we could ‘edit’ a plant’s DNA like a document, deleting its vulnerability to pests before it’s even planted?  This isn't science fiction; this is the CRISPR revolution, and it's taking firm root in Indian agriculture. CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing for Agriculture Forget what you know about traditional GMOs. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology acts like a molecular scalpel, allowing scientists to make precise, targeted edits to a plant's own genome, often without introducing any foreign genes. It’s a game-changer for developing resilient crops, and India's leading research institutions are harnessing its power. Pioneering Pest-Resistance in Indian Staples The work being done is not just theoretical; it's actively aimed at solving real-world problems for our farmers. Pest-Proofing Rice: Scientists at premier institutes like the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) and the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi , are developing rice va...
Post a Comment
Read more

Integrated Pest Management: A Smarter Way to Protect Our Crops

  Hello readers! 👋 Welcome to my very first post on this blog dedicated to the fascinating world of insects, pests, and the science that protects our crops! I’m Anka Pujitha, an entomology enthusiast passionate about sustainable agriculture. Today, let’s explore an approach that’s changing the way we manage pests — Integrated Pest Management (IPM). 🌿 What is IPM? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a science-based, eco-friendly method that combines different strategies to control pests effectively — while minimizing risks to farmers, consumers, and the environment. Instead of relying only on chemical pesticides, IPM uses a smart combination of methods : Cultural (e.g., crop rotation) Biological (e.g., using beneficial insects) Mechanical (e.g., traps, barriers) Chemical (only when absolutely needed, and in a targeted way) 🐛 Why is IPM important? Reduces pesticide use Protects beneficial insects like pollinators Prevents pest resistance Ens...
1 comment
Read more

GST Rate Cuts: A Big Win for India's Farmers

The government has recently rolled out new GST reforms for the agriculture sector, and it’s good news for farmers. Many essential agricultural goods and inputs now have lower tax rates, with some dropping to just 5% or even becoming tax-free. Let's break down what's changed and what it means for the farming community. GST Reforms Benefit Indian Farmer Cheaper Farming Equipment and Machinery One of the biggest changes is the GST reduction on farm machinery. The tax on a wide range of equipment has been cut from 12% to 5% . This includes: Tractors (with engines under 1800 cc) Machines for soil preparation, cultivation, harvesting, and threshing Parts for tractors, like tyres and tubes, which saw a significant drop from 18% to 5% This makes it more affordable for farmers to invest in the tools they need to improve efficiency. Lower Costs for Fertilizers and Inputs The GST on key raw materials used to produce fertilizers—like Sulphuric acid, Nitric acid, and Ammonia—has been slash...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Silk Waste to Superfood: How Silkworm Pupae are Revolutionizing Fish Farming

To solve one of the biggest problems in fish farming, scientists looked in the most unlikely place: the leftovers from silk production. What they found has the potential to make both the silk and fish industries more sustainable and profitable. Silkworm Pupae as a Sustainable Fish Feed Every year, the global silk industry generates nearly 200,000 metric tons of silkworm pupae as a byproduct. For decades, this "waste" was largely overlooked. Yet, it's a powerhouse of protein, with levels ranging from 50-70%. Groundbreaking new research confirms this byproduct isn't just a viable alternative to traditional fishmeal—it might actually be superior. A recent study evaluated silkworm pupae meal as a replacement for fishmeal in the diet of the popular Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), a variety developed by institutions like WorldFish . The results were remarkable. What the Science Revealed The study showed clear, measurable benefits of incorporating silkworm pupae ...
Post a Comment
Read more