CropLife India Flags Risks of Unauthorized Pesticide Sales on E-Commerce Platforms

Lucknow : CropLife India, representing 17 R&D-based crop protection companies, has raised a red flag over the rising sale of unauthorized pesticides on e-commerce platforms. During a national conference in New Delhi, the organization called for a robust regulatory framework to ensure accountability, safety, and traceability in digital agri-input sales.

Dr. P.K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, emphasized that e-commerce giants cannot rely solely on basic GST documentation for sellers. Given the hazardous nature of pesticides, platforms must ensure quality checks and verify "Principal Certificates" from manufacturers. Currently, a regulatory gap exists where online marketplaces operate without specific pesticide licenses, unlike traditional brick-and-mortar dealers.

The organization is urging the government to address these loopholes in the Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025. CropLife Chairman Ankur Aggarwal clarified that while the industry isn't against digital trade, the lack of oversight on inventory-based models and warehouse inspections poses a threat to farmers and food security.

"Digital trade must evolve with safety," Aggarwal stated, noting that Rule 10E of the Pesticide Rules is often misinterpreted to bypass licensing requirements. The industry is now demanding mandatory digital traceability to protect farmers from counterfeit products.