The Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) formally submitted its objections and recommendations to the government on the proposed Pesticide Management Bill (PMB) 2025. The federation filed its response on 4 February 2026 following stakeholder consultations, aiming to safeguard indigenous manufacturers while strengthening India’s pesticide regulatory framework. While acknowledging the government’s consultative approach, CCFI welcomed certain provisions in the draft legislation. However, it also highlighted several critical areas that, in its view, require reconsideration before the Bill is finalised.
Industry Welcomes Removal of Data Exclusivity and Price Control Clauses
CCFI praised the decision to exclude data protection and data exclusivity provisions from the draft Bill. According to the federation, such measures could have adversely affected domestic manufacturers. “It was a very prudent decision not to consider data protection or data exclusivity in the interest of indigenous manufacturers. Likewise, deleting the clause on price control would make the industry more competitive in the domestic market,” said Deepak Shah, Chairman, CCFI. He further emphasized that the Indian agrochemical sector remains committed to strengthening its position as a global manufacturing and R&D innovation hub.
Concerns Over Director Liability and Regulatory Powers
Despite welcoming select reforms, CCFI raised significant concerns over key provisions in PMB 2025. First, the federation noted that its long-standing demand to prevent automatic liability of company directors in cases of alleged misbranding has not been addressed in the current draft.
Second, CCFI expressed apprehension about provisions granting wide discretionary powers to central and state governments to restrict or suspend insecticide sales for up to one year. The federation argued that such authority must be accompanied by clearly defined accountability and review mechanisms to prevent arbitrary action.
Additionally, CCFI pointed out that certain offences under the proposed law attract what it termed “excessive penalties.” The federation has therefore urged policymakers to review and rationalise these penalty structures to ensure proportionality.
Export Restrictions May Impact Global Competitiveness
Another major issue flagged by CCFI relates to restrictions on the sale or export of products banned in India, even if those products remain permitted and in demand in other countries. The federation warned that such restrictions could undermine India’s export competitiveness in the global agrochemical market. Given India’s strong manufacturing base, CCFI stressed the need for a balanced approach that protects domestic interests without limiting legitimate export opportunities.
Call for Stronger Focus on R&D and New Chemical Entities (NCEs)
Importantly, CCFI identified a policy gap in the absence of specific measures to promote research and development of New Chemical Entities (NCEs). The federation stated that PMB 2025 does not sufficiently align with national initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, despite India’s established technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities in agrochemicals.
Highlighting the growing role of technology in agriculture, Mr. Shah also referred to advancements under the India AI Mission. He noted that India’s democratisation of AI-enabled agricultural solutions has already delivered transformative outcomes. He further stressed the importance of prioritising indigenous digital solutions that function in low-bandwidth, multilingual environments to ensure equitable access for farmers across the country.
Push for Clear E-Commerce Regulations in PMB 2025
In addition to its objections, CCFI has proposed the introduction of a dedicated regulatory framework for pesticide sales through e-commerce and online platforms. The federation warned that, in the absence of explicit provisions, digital sales could occur without sufficient oversight. This could lead to unauthorised sellers operating online or the circulation of unregistered and prohibited products.
To address these risks, CCFI recommended:
*Strict licensing requirements for online pesticide sellers
*Clearly defined responsibilities for e-commerce intermediaries
*Buyer verification protocols, where applicable
*Mandatory transaction record-keeping
*Clear legal definitions governing the e-commerce ecosystem under PMB 2025
By incorporating these safeguards, the federation believes the government can strengthen regulatory control while supporting responsible digital growth in the agrochemical sector.
A Call for Balanced and Innovation-Driven Regulation
In conclusion, CCFI has urged the government to consider its recommendations before finalising the Pesticide Management Bill 2025. According to the federation, a balanced, innovation-oriented regulatory framework will not only protect farmers but also enhance India’s standing as a global agrochemical manufacturing hub. As reported by global-agriculture.com, by aligning policy with industry realities and national priorities, PMB 2025 can support sustainable growth, export competitiveness, and technological advancement in the agricultural sector.
