The Indian government is set to introduce a new Pesticide Management Bill to replace old laws and bring in modern regulations. Farm Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi announced that a draft of this bill will soon be shared for public feedback. The current laws for seeds and pesticides date back to the 1960s. Since then, the agricultural sector has changed a lot, making many old rules outdated.
This new bill is part of a larger plan to update India’s agricultural laws. The government already released a draft for a new Seeds Bill in November 2025, which aims to improve seed quality and availability. Both the new Seeds Bill and the Pesticide Management Bill are expected to be presented in Parliament during the upcoming Budget session. This will happen after discussions with states, farmer groups, and industry experts.
The Pesticide Management Bill 2020, first presented in 2020, aims to control the entire process of pesticide production and sale. The goal is to ensure that farmers have access to safe and high-quality pesticides. This bill will replace the Insecticides Act of 1968.
A key feature of the new draft bill is the introduction of stricter punishments for those selling fake or unregistered pesticides. This will help protect farmers from harmful products. However, the bill also plans to decriminalise minor administrative errors. For example, not renewing a license on time or missing a deadline for filing returns will no longer be treated as serious offences. “The point is that there has to be decriminalisation in some aspects. But in some aspects, there should be stricter punishment,” said Secretary Chaturvedi.
Another important change will be the introduction of digital tracking for pesticides. This system will allow for end-to-end traceability, meaning it will be possible to track pesticides from the manufacturer all the way to the dealer, retailer, and finally the farmer. This digital system is expected to significantly reduce the circulation of pesticides produced by illegal companies.
These reforms are also part of a broader strategy to encourage less use of pesticides and chemicals in farming. By promoting safer practices, the government hopes to improve the quality of Indian agricultural products and boost the country’s exports.
In other agricultural news, Farm Secretary Chaturvedi also shared a positive outlook for the upcoming Rabi season (winter crops). Sowing is progressing well, thanks to full water reservoirs and good soil moisture levels after a strong monsoon season. He mentioned that any losses incurred during the Kharif season (summer crops) due to floods or other weather events are likely to be compensated by a good Rabi harvest. This is expected to help keep food prices stable in the short term.
Additionally, Food Processing Secretary A.P. Das Joshi announced that the government is planning a second phase of its Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing industry. The first phase of this scheme, launched in 2021, has already shown success in increasing investments, creating jobs, and boosting exports. The new phase aims to cover more food segments that were not included previously, further supporting growth in this sector.