Impact of Pesticides Use in Agriculture: Benefits and Hazards

Pesticides play an important role in modern agriculture by effectively controlling pests and diseases. They contribute to increased crop yields and help protect crops from damage which ensures a stable food supply and provides economic sustainability for farmers. Pesticides also help in preventing the spread of vector-borne diseases and enable the cultivation of a diverse range of crops, thereby contributing to global food security.

In this article, we will learn about pesticides, their benefits and hazards in agriculture.

What is Pesticide?

• Pesticides are any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or controlling any pest.
• Pesticides can be chemical or biological agents, such as viruses, bacteria, antimicrobials, or disinfectants.
•  Target pests can include insects, weeds, nematodes, plant pathogens, birds, mammals, and microbes that cause nuisance, spread disease, or are disease vectors.
• Pesticide covers a wide range of compounds including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, molluscicides, nematicides, plant growth regulators.

Facts about Pesticides in India

In India, pesticides are used on only 9% of the total cultivated land. The per hectare consumption of pesticides in India is 0.6 kg/ha, which is among the lowest in the world, where it can be as high as 17 kg per hectare.

• Around 40% of cultivated land is treated with pesticides, and 65–70% of treated land is irrigated.
• Jammu & Kashmir has the highest intensity of pesticide application at 2.337 kg/ha, followed by Punjab at 1.377 kg/ha and Haryana at 1.151 kg/ha.
• The consumption of biopesticides makes up approximately 9% of total pesticide consumption. By 2050, it is anticipated to represent up to 50% of the entire pesticide market.
• Benzene Hexachloride is the most common pesticide used in India, making up about 50% of the total volume of all pesticides used in the country.
• Cotton is the agricultural product that consumes the most pesticides at 93.27%, followed by vegetables (87.2%), wheat (66.4%), millet (52.6%), and mustard (12.6%).

Check: Pesticides

Impact of Pesticide Use in Agriculture

• The use of pesticides in agriculture has a profound impact on crop protection and food production.
• These chemical play an important role in preventing loss of yield by controlling pests and diseases which ensure a stable and abundant food supply.
• About 40% of India’s cultivated area is treated with pesticides. However, the use of pesticides in agriculture has both positive and negative impacts.

Benefits of Pesticide Use in Agriculture

From the pesticide use there are two level of benefits, primary and secondary. Primary benefits are direct gains from the use of pesticides and secondary benefits are effects that are more long-term. Some of the benefits of the pesticide use in agriculture includes:

Increased Crop Yields

Pesticides contribute to increased crop yields, by preventing or minimizing damage from pests. It can increase crop yields by an average of 30% and improve crop quality. Pesticides have helped increase the production of major crops, including rice, which has more than doubled since 1960. They have also helped in the control and management of pasture and forage crop pests. Overall it has resulted in meeting the growing global demand for food by raising productivity per hectare.

• India consumes 0.6 kg of pesticides per hectare, which is among the lowest in the world. The Indian pesticides market was worth around Rs. 212 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach INR 320 billion by 2027.
• In India, 65% of fiber crops, 50% of fruits, 46% of vegetables, 43% of spices, 28% of oilseeds, and 23% of pulses are treated with pesticides.
• In 2021-2022, Maharashtra consumed the highest amount of chemical pesticides in India at 13,175 metric tons.
• Without pesticides, fruit production would decrease by 78%, vegetable production by 54%, and cereal production by 32%.

Crop Protection

Pesticides are important for protecting crops from pests, diseases, and weeds and which prevents a significant yield loss. According to a report weeds reduce yield of dry land crops by 37–79% and severe infestation of weeds, particularly in the early stage of crop development can result in yield reduction of 40%. Herbicides use can provide both an economic and labour benefit. Pesticides help farmers manage and mitigate the impact of pests, ensuring a more reliable and consistent food supply.

• In India, pesticides are used to protect vulnerable seedlings in pastures and forage crops and can also be used to reduce the population of pests in established crops and pastures.
• Chemical pesticides can also help check insect-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, encephalitis, and filariasis in human health.

Disease Prevention

• Pesticides are used to control pests and disease carriers, such as mosquitoes, ticks, rats, and mice and can protect humans from vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and schistosomiasis. 
• They are also used to control weeds, insect infestation, and diseases in agriculture. Insecticides are used to control the insects that spread deadly diseases such as malaria.
• It can result in an estimated 5000 deaths each day. Millions of lives having been saved or enhanced with the use of DDT alone.

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

• Pesticides offer a cost-effective and efficient way to manage pests compared to manual or mechanical methods.
• Applying pesticides allows farmers to save time and resources, making agricultural operations more economically viable.
• This efficiency is particularly important for large-scale farming, where labor-intensive pest control methods may be impractical.
• Despite the cost of pesticides, the potential losses without their use make the investment economically viable, resulting in higher net income.

Improved Food Quality and Economic Benefits for Farmers

• Pesticides can help maintain the quality of harvested crops by reducing blemishes, discoloration caused by pests and diseases and also help maintain the quality of harvested crops by preventing damage during growth, storage, and transportation.
• This ensures that consumers receive safe and high-quality produce. Preserving the quality of crops also reduces food waste and enhances overall food security.
• Pesticides help farmers protect their investments in seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs. By safeguarding crops, pesticides reduce the financial risks associated with crop failure and losses which ensures a more stable income for farmers.

Support for Sustainable Agriculture

Use of the pesticides can contribute to sustainable agriculture, such as Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which combine biological, cultural, and chemical control methods, help minimize environmental harm while still providing effective pest control and contributes to increased crop production.

Global Trade and Market Access

Pesticides help meet the stringent quality standards required for international trade and ensure that crops meet the necessary safety and quality standards. It facilitates access to global markets and supportes agricultural exports.

Hazards of Pesticide Use in Agriculture

• Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, and air, resulting in environment pollution. Runoff from fields enters the nearby water bodies which affect aquatic ecosystems.
• Pesticide residues in food can pose health risks such as cancer, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems. It mimics hormones causing reproductive problems, and also causing cancer.
• Pesticides can harm non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, birds and can lead to a decline in biodiversity.
• Use of pesticides for prolonged time can result in the development of resistance among pest populations.
• Pesticides may persist in the soil for lpng time which leads to soil degradation and affect the crop productivity.
• Pesticides may eliminate natural predators of pests. It can lead to outbreaks of secondary pests that were previously kept in check by the ecosystem.
• Pesticides can leach into groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources and posing risks to human health.
• Volatile pesticides can evaporate into the air, contributing to air pollution which can contribute to respiratory problems.
• Some pesticides can persist in the environment for extended periods, leading to bioaccumulation in the food chain. It can have potential adverse effects on higher trophic levels.
• Pesticides may exhibit toxic effects on humans and other non-target species. The severity of which depends on the frequency and magnitude of exposure.

Pesticide Management in India

Some points about pesticide management in India:

• In India, the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971 regulate the import, registration, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and use of insecticides.
• Pesticides undergo a rigorous registration process by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC).
• Pesticide residues in food is monitored by FSSAI to ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Since 1985, the Government of India has adopted IPM which is an eco-friendly approach. It includes cultural, mechanical, biological, and need-based chemical control measures.
• The Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare introduced The Pesticide Management Bill, 2020 in the Rajya Sabha which aims to regulate the manufacture, import, sale, storage, distribution, use, and disposal of pesticides and also compensates farmers in case of losses from the use of agrochemicals.
• Market pesticides are regularly checked by the State Agriculture Departments for compliance.

Conclusion

The impact of pesticide use in agriculture is profound, serving as a vital tool in safeguarding crop yields and ensuring food security. However, the widespread application of pesticides also raises concerns regarding environmental sustainability, human health risks, and the development of pesticide-resistant pests. Moving forward, it is imperative to balance the benefits of pesticide use with the need for sustainable and responsible agricultural practices, promoting alternative pest management strategies and continued research into safer, more environmentally friendly solutions.

Impact of Pesticides Use in Agriculture – FAQs

What are the benefits of using pesticides?

Pesticides contribute to higher crop yields by protecting plants from pests, reduces food wastage, and supports global food security. It help in controlling insect carriers whichprevent the spread of vector-borne diseases.

What are the hazards of pesticides in agriculture?

Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, and plants, harming a wide range of organisms, including birds, fish, beneficial insects, and non-target plants.

What are the effects of pesticides in agriculture?

The effects of pesticides in agriculture include protection against pests which results in increased crop yields. But may also result in environmental pollution, harm to non-target species, and the development of pesticide-resistant pests.

What are some natural alternatives of insecticide?

Some natural alternative to insecticides include Neem oil, garlic spray, Diatomaceous earth, and Essential oils.

What is organic farming?

Organic farming uses natural farming practice and pesticdes are not used in the organic farming. It is also known as ecological farming or biological farming.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of pesticides in agriculture?

Pros of pesticides: higher crop yields, increased profits for farmers, and cheaper food for consumers.

Cons: bioaccumulation of chemicals, genetic resistance to pesticides, and biomagnification in the food chain.

Why are pesticides important in agriculture?

Pesticides prevent over half of the world’s crops from being lost to pests, diseases, and weeds, enabling farmers to produce more food on less land and increase productivity per hectare.

What are the 4 types of pesticides?

• insecticides
• herbicides
• rodenticides
• fungicides.

What is pesticides in agriculture?

Pesticides, chemicals used worldwide, combat pests in agriculture and public health, targeting insects, rodents, fungi, and weeds. Proper use is vital to minimize harm, regulated by guidelines in many countries.

Does natural farming use pesticides?

No, natural farming does not use pesticides. Natural farming is a chemical-free, traditional farming method. It aims to increase yields by avoiding non-natural inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides.