Pesticides are used so often that the term ‘pesticide’ is frequently used interchangeably with plant protection products. It is often used to eradicate or manage a wide range of agricultural pests that can harm crops and livestock while reducing farm output. Insecticides are used to kill insects, herbicides to kill weeds, rodenticides to kill rodents, and fungicides to manage fungus, mold, and mildew.
Recently the Indian government has publicly announced the usage of glyphosate, a commonly used weedicide, posing health hazards to humans and animals. However, usage is still limited and not prohibited.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare agreed to limit Glyphosate use by a notification titled 'Restriction on Glyphosate Use Order, 2022'.
This conclusion was made after reviewing the Expert Committee's findings and consulting with the Registration Committee, which was established under the Insecticides Act of 1968. The announcement refers to the Central government receiving a report from the Kerala government on the prohibition of glyphosate and its derivatives distribution sale and usage.
List of Pesticides with Restricted Use in India
1.Aluminum Phosphide
Pest Control Operations with Aluminium Phosphide may be carried out only by Govt./Govt. undertakings / Govt. Organizations/pest control operators under the strict supervision of Govt. Experts or experts whose expertise has been approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to the Government of India, unless otherwise specified.
Aluminium Phosphide tube packs with capacities of 10 and 20 tablets of 3 g each are fully prohibited from the manufacture, marketing, and consumption.
2. Captafol
Captafol as a foliar spray is prohibited. Captafol should only be used as a seed dresser. The production of Captafol 80% powder for dry seed treatment (DS) is prohibited in the nation, save for export.
3. Cypermethrin
Cypermethrin 3 % Smoke Generator, can be used only through Pest Control Operators and is not allowed to be used by the General Public.
4. Dazomet
The use of Dazomet is not allowed on Tea.
5.Diazinon
Diazinon is banned for use in agricultural fields except for household use.
6. Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT)
Except in the case of a significant epidemic outbreak, the use of DDT for the domestic Public Health Programme is limited to 10,000 Metric Tonnes per year.
M/s Hindustan Insecticides Ltd., the country's sole DDT manufacturer, may produce DDT for export to foreign nations for use in vector control for public health purposes.
DDT is no longer used for agricultural purposes. In extreme cases where the use of DDT for plant protection is justified, the state or central government may acquire it directly from M/s Hindustan Insecticides Ltd. to be utilized under expert government supervision.
7. Fenitrothion
The use of Fenitrothion is banned in Agriculture except for locust control in a scheduled desert area and public health.
8. Fenthion
The use of Fenthion is banned in Agriculture except for locust control, household, and public health.
9. Methoxy Ethyl Mercuric Chloride (MEMC)
The use of MEMC is banned completely except for seed treatment of potatoes and sugarcane.
10. Methyl Bromide
Methyl Bromide may be used only by Govt./Govt. undertakings/Govt. Organizations / Pest control operators under the strict supervision of Govt. Experts or Experts whose expertise is approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govt. of India.
11. Methyl Parathion
The use of Methyl Parathion is permitted only on those crops approved by the Registration Committee where honeybees are not acting as a pollinator.
12. Monocrotophos
Monocrotophos is banned for use on vegetable crops.
13. Sodium Cyanide
The use of Sodium Cyanide shall be restricted for the Fumigation of Cotton bales under expert supervision approved by the Plant Protection Advisor to Govternment of India.
List of Pesticides Banned in India
The banned pesticide list is huge. Many pesticides have been banned from the Indian Market due to health risks to humans and animals. Some of them include Alachlor, Aldicarb, Aldrin, Benzene Hexachloride, Benomyl, Calcium Cyanide, Carbaryl, Chlorbenzilate, Chlordane, Chlorofenvinphos, Copper Acetoarsenite, Diazinon, Dibromochloropropane, Dichlorovos, Dieldrin, Endosulfron, Endrin and many more.
Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture, and use
Few pesticide formulations can’t be imported, manufactured, or even used in the Indian scenario. Some of them are Carbofuron 50% SP, Methomyl 12.5% L, Methomyl 24% formulation, and Phosphamidon 85% SL.
