India's agricultural landscape has long depended on chemical pesticides to fight pest pressure across millions of hectares. But rising awareness of environmental hazards, pest resistance, and health risks has shifted focus toward safer, more sustainable pest management practices. The government has responded with targeted policies, programs, and research-backed support systems that guide farmers toward integrated, eco-friendly solutions.
This blog outlines seven key government initiatives that help shape safer pest control frameworks across the country—balancing productivity with protection for farmers, consumers, and ecosystems.
How Government Initiatives Are Reshaping Pest Control
In India, excessive usage of pesticides for many years resulted in problems with food safety, pest resistance, and deteriorating soil health. Often, farmers were unaware of pest thresholds, protective equipment, or the appropriate dosages. To promote change, the government had to step in.
Alternatives such as computerized forecasting systems, biological insecticides, and integrated pest management (IPM) are being promoted by state and federal organizations today. For safer implementation on the ground, these programmes offer scientific data, training, equipment, and funding.
These initiatives have decreased pesticide use by 30 to 50% in a number of areas without lowering agricultural yields. For instance, cotton farmers in Gujarat's Banaskantha area reported improved fibre quality and fewer bollworm infestations after switching to IPM-supported models.
Proper selection and controlled use are important when commercial pesticides are still needed. Growers frequently decide to buy Agrolife Ronfen pesticide in high-pressure pest zones because of its dual action and low residue profile, which, when combined with government-recommended safety standards, allow for safer field performance.
Initiative 1: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by ICAR
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) leads the national IPM strategy. Under this program, pest management is approached as a system involving:
- Biological control using natural enemies like parasitoids and predators
- Crop rotation, trap crops, and resistant varieties
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) operate IPM field schools that teach farmers in various districts how to identify pest thresholds, rotate pesticides, and apply them safely. These models have demonstrated a reduction of more than 40% in the usage of chemical pesticides in rice, legumes, and vegetables while maintaining or improving yields.
For more than 100 crops, ICAR has created specialised IPM modules that are accessible via mobile advisories and regional research stations.
Initiative 2: National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
NMSA, under the Ministry of Agriculture, promotes climate-resilient and environmentally sound farming practices. A key component is sustainable pest control.
The mission supports:
- Use of neem-based and plant-derived bio-pesticides
- Incentives for vermi-compost, botanical extracts, and microbial pest control products
NMSA demonstration projects have shown how organic inputs and integrated pest management (IPM) can significantly reduce pest recurrence in high-value crops, such as grapes and chillies. Additionally, these experiments protect valuable insects and lessen water contamination.
Additional details about funding, target crops, and implementation partners can be found on India's NMSA portal.
Initiative 3: Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
RKVY is a flexible, demand-driven funding scheme that empowers states to invest in their agricultural priorities. Many states have used RKVY to launch district-level programs on:
- Safe spraying kits distribution
- Drone-assisted pest monitoring
- Mobile vans for on-site pest diagnostics
Under RKVY, states such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have introduced farmer-led pest surveillance groups that report field infestation levels weekly, helping to avoid blanket spraying.
The use of biorational approaches, pheromone traps, and decision support tools is promoted under this scheme to strengthen sustainable pest management.
“When pest control protects people and nature, it's more than farming, it’s a national service.”
Initiative 4: Insecticide Act and Pesticide Management Bill
The 1968 Insecticide Act in India governs the production, sale, and use of agrochemicals. The proposed Pesticide Management Bill, however, seeks to update this framework with more stringent safety requirements.
Key improvements include:
- Label transparency on dosage, toxicity, and handling precautions
- Real-time adverse event reporting from users
- Centralized database of registered pesticides
Only insecticides that have undergone scientific evaluation and are appropriate for the area are distributed to farmers thanks to this regulatory system. More efforts are also being made to combat the selling of fake and fraudulent chemicals.
These modifications ensure farmer accountability and consumer safety while promoting safer, need-based consumption.
Initiative 5: Soil Health Cards and Nutrient-Pest Links
The Soil Health Card Scheme helps prevent pests even if its main goal is fertility. Nutrient-balanced plants are less stressed, which makes them less vulnerable to pests.
For example, legumes that are deficient in sulphur are more susceptible to root rot and sucking parasites. Soil testing helps adjust input techniques by avoiding overfertilization, which sometimes leads to aphid or mite epidemics.
By tightly tying nutrient management and insect control together, this comprehensive approach minimises unnecessary chemical spraying.
Particularly for cereals and oilseeds, farmers who have implemented advice based on soil cards have reported a 15–20% decrease in pest infestations.
Initiative 6: FAW (Fall Armyworm) Emergency Response Task Forces
The government moved quickly after autumn armyworm first appeared in Indian maize crops in 2018. ICAR worked with international agencies to map solutions, and regional surveillance cells were formed to monitor spread.
By means of IPM demonstrations, kits, and advisories, these task groups assisted farmers in transitioning from high-toxicity chemicals to:
- Pheromone lures
- Bioagents like Metarhizium and Trichogramma
- Early warning alerts through mobile apps and community monitoring
This emergency model of rapid pest response is now being scaled for other pests like desert locusts and pink bollworm.
Real-time updates and field protocols are regularly posted on platforms such as the FAO’s Locust Watch, enabling quick adaptation.
Initiative 7: Digital Agriculture and eNAM Linkages
The government is integrating pest control with digital platforms through:
- mKisan portal for SMS-based advisories
- eNAM (National Agriculture Market) for residue-compliant procurement
- Kisan Sarathi for expert video consultations
Pesticide recommendations, product safety information, and localised pest warnings are now available to farmers in their native tongues. Under pilot programmes, drones and Internet of Things-based pest predicting technologies are also being used.
Even in remote areas, this digitalization encourages threshold-based chemical use and lessens guesswork, leading to safer practices.
Digital pest alerts have decreased damage to seasonal crops like soybeans and pomegranates and increased reaction times by more than 48% in regions like Maharashtra.
FAQs on Government-Led Pest Management Support
1.Are these schemes applicable to small and marginal farmers?
Yes. Most programs are designed to include smallholders through subsidies, FPOs, or cooperative structures.
2. Can I use chemical pesticides with IPM practices?
Yes. IPM doesn’t reject chemicals but promotes their responsible, need-based use alongside biological and cultural controls.
3.How can I access government advisories for pest management?
Use the mKisan portal or check updates from KVKs and state agriculture departments. Many advisories are also circulated via WhatsApp and farmer groups.
4.Are bio-pesticides subsidized under any scheme?
Yes. Programs like NMSA and RKVY provide support for verified bio-pesticide usage and demonstrations.
5.Is drone spraying allowed for all types of crops?
Drone spraying is currently permitted in many states for cereals, pulses, and vegetables, under specific safety and training conditions.
More Than Compliance: A Culture of Safer Farming
These projects demonstrate a change in agricultural thought in addition to the implementation of policies. Pest management is increasingly viewed as a system that calls for knowledge, equilibrium, and shared responsibility rather than only a chemical function.
The government is establishing the groundwork for safer farming that safeguards the farmer, the environment, and the final consumer through initiatives like field schools, cellphone alerts, drone-assisted spraying, and predator release kits.
These initiatives encourage involvement as well as adoption. More farmers adopting this methodology will make safer pest management a collective endeavour rather than a personal one.
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