New Delhi, Aug 13: As India enters its 80th year of Independence, CropLife India today announced the launch of a Digital Awareness Campaign to eliminate illicit pesticides. The campaign aims to empower farmers across 13 states to make informed choices and purchase genuine and quality pesticides.
The campaign was formally launched today by Shri Ramnath Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India and carries the theme of “जागरूककिसानबनें, असलीकीटनाशकचुनें”
The initiative will be implemented across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It aims to reach over 2.5 million farmers through a comprehensive digital awareness drives.
Campaign messages will be delivered in five languages – Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil and Punjabi – covering critical aspects of identifying and avoiding illicit pesticides, choosing quality and genuine products, and following safe and responsible application practices.
Launching the campaign, Shri Ramnath Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, highlighted the importance of farmer awareness and access to genuine agricultural inputs in strengthening Indian agriculture. “Farmers are at the heart of India’s agricultural progress. Ensuring that they are aware of how to identify genuine agricultural inputs is essential to protecting their crops, improving productivity and securing their livelihoods. The fight against illicit pesticides requires collective action from farmers, manufacturers, dealers, scientists, government agencies and all other stakeholders.
I commend CropLife India for launching this digital awareness campaign across 13 states and in multiple Indian languages. By taking the message directly to millions of farmers, this initiative can play an important role in strengthening awareness about genuine products, safe use and responsible crop protection practices. I urge all stakeholders to actively support this initiative and work together towards a safe, sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector,” he said.
Pesticides play a vital role in protecting crops from pests and diseases, reducing production losses and supporting farm productivity. Farmers must therefore have access to quality and genuine products and the knowledge required to use them safely and effectively.
Illicit pesticides can undermine crop protection efforts and potentially result in avoidable economic losses for farmers. The campaign will encourage farmers to “जागरूककिसानबनें, असलीकीटनाशकचुनें” and make informed choices by purchasing products from trusted and authorised sources.
The campaign will focus on practical messages such as:
- Beware of illicit pesticides
- Choose quality and genuine pesticides
- Purchase products from trusted and authorised sources
- Always ask for Invoice / Bill for each purchase
- Read and follow the product label and prescribed instructions
- Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Use the right product, at the right dose and at the right time
- Follow recommended spraying and application practices
- Seek advice from qualified agricultural experts when required
Speaking on the occasion, Durgesh Chandra, Secretary General, CropLife India said; “As India enters its 80th years of Independence of freedom, empowering our farmers with knowledge is fundamental to building a stronger and more prosperous India. The fight against illicit pesticides requires a collective effort. Through this campaign, we aim to reach more than 2.5 million farmers with practical information on choosing genuine products, asking for a Bill on every purchase, safe and responsible crop protection use. An informed farmer is better equipped to protect crops, reduce avoidable losses and contribute to a safer and more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.”
A Pledge for a Safer and Prosperous India
As the nation enters its 80th years of Independence, CropLife India calls upon farmers, agricultural input dealers, manufacturers, scientists, government agencies and all stakeholders to join the campaign and take a collective pledge: “Say No to Illicit Pesticides. Choose Safe Agriculture. Build a Prosperous India.”
The campaign reinforces CropLife India’s commitment to Safe Use, Sustainable Agriculture and Prosperous Farmers, while contributing to broader efforts to strengthen awareness, responsible crop protection and the integrity of India’s agricultural input ecosystem.