Biopesticide Consumption in India: Insights into the Current Trends

Nilanjan Chakraborty (), Rusha Mitra, Somrhita Pal, Retwika Ganguly, Krishnendu Acharya, Tatiana Minkina, Anik Sarkar and Chetan Keswani ()
Additional contact information
Nilanjan Chakraborty: Department of Botany, Scottish Church College, Kolkata 700006, India
Rusha Mitra: Department of Botany, Scottish Church College, Kolkata 700006, India
Somrhita Pal: Department of Botany, Scottish Church College, Kolkata 700006, India
Retwika Ganguly: Department of Botany, Scottish Church College, Kolkata 700006, India
Krishnendu Acharya: Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India
Tatiana Minkina: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia
Anik Sarkar: Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India
Chetan Keswani: Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russia

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: Biopesticides are formulations derived from naturally occurring compounds that manage pests through non-toxic and environmentally favorable means. Being living organisms (natural enemies) or products, biopesticides represent less of a risk to the environment and to human health. Biopesticides, classified into three broad classes, are increasingly used in pest control, and include semiochemicals, plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs), and compounds derived from plants and microorganisms. Because of their advantages for the environment, target-specificity, efficacy, biodegradability, and applicability in integrated pest management (IPM) programs, biopesticides are gaining interest. Although biopesticides have seen significant advances in market penetration, they still make up a relatively small fraction of pest management solutions. Over 3000 tons are produced globally per annum, and this number is rising rapidly. In India, biopesticides account for just 4.2% of the country’s total pesticide market. Although the government has promoted the use of biopesticides by including them in several agricultural programs, biopesticides face numerous difficulties at a local level, but are predicted to expand at an astonishing 10% yearly pace. Under the Insecticides Act 1968, the Ministry of Agriculture in India controls the use of pesticides. Among the major biopesticides produced and used in India are Trichoderma, Bacillus thuringiensis , nuclear polyhedrosis virus, and neem-based pesticides.

Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; microbial biopesticides; sustainable agriculture; plant protection; South-Asian agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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