New Delhi : CropLife India, the association representing 17 research-driven crop protection companies, has raised serious concerns over the growing sale of unauthorised pesticides through e-commerce platforms, urging urgent strengthening of regulatory supervision, enforcement and accountability in online agri-input sales.
The issue was discussed at CropLife India’s National Conference on Crop Protection Products Sale on E-Commerce Platforms held in New Delhi, which brought together policymakers, regulators, industry representatives and digital commerce stakeholders to assess the regulatory challenges emerging from the rapid shift of pesticide sales to online channels.
Addressing the conference, Dr. P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, said that basic compliance checks such as GST verification are inadequate when hazardous products like pesticides are sold online. He emphasised the need for stronger quality assurance, traceability and supply-chain accountability, noting that these aspects require careful consideration under the proposed Pesticides Management Bill, 2025.
Dr. Subhash Chand, Secretary, CIB&RC, highlighted that while digitisation is expanding access in rural India, pesticides remain hazardous substances and responsibility for compliance and farmer safety must be shared by manufacturers and platforms alike. Mr. Ravi Shankar, Domain Lead – Agriculture, ONDC, stressed the importance of accurate product cataloguing, advisory information and traceability to help farmers identify genuine inputs.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman, CropLife India, clarified that the industry is not opposed to online sale of pesticides. “This engagement is about ensuring that regulatory and enforcement frameworks evolve with digital commerce. Tackling unauthorised products is critical for farmer safety, food security and trust,” he said.
CropLife India noted that while existing laws mandate strict licensing, geographic restrictions and Principal Certificates for pesticide sales, e-commerce platforms currently operate without explicit statutory obligations under pesticide law. This regulatory gap, particularly in inventory-based models, weakens oversight and traceability.
The association said it will submit its recommendations through the formal consultation process for the Draft Pesticides Management Bill, advocating a framework of regulated enablement for digital agri-input sales.