“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. 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 en...
Exploring insects, ecology, and integrated pest solutions for sustainable agriculture.