Latest news with #InsecticidesRules
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab: Use of herbicide to expedite moong, maize harvest sounds alarm bells
BATHINDA: With the harvesting of moong and spring maize at its peak in Punjab, the rampant use of toxic herbicide has come to the fore. Paraquat Dichloride - a herbicide plant killer - is being used massively to quicken the drying time of both crops as farmers are in a hurry to transplant paddy or basmati. Though Paraquat Dichloride is widely used for weeding and grass control, it is being used in the fields in Punjab on moong, also called green gram, and maize. Immediately after the spray on the plants, it starts working, and the plant is ready to be harvested in the next 48-72 hours. In doing so, farmers even overlook the health hazards. The use of Paraquat Dichloride to expedite harvesting when the crop is nearing maturity is being seen as a cause of concern. Paraquat is a highly toxic compound that can cause serious health effects. "The Registration Committee (RC) constituted under Section 5 of the Insecticides Act, 1968, in its 361st meeting on Dec 12, 2015, deliberated to review 66 pesticides, including Paraquat Dichloride, and accepted its continued use with caution, improved packaging to prevent misuse, and training for medical personnel to handle poisoning cases. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Further, a sub-committee was constituted to review the toxicity and safety of Paraquat Dichloride," Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated in a written reply in Lok Sabha on Dec 3, 2024, when asked about the use of the toxic chemical Paraquat by the farmers. The Centre regulates the manufacture and use of pesticides in the country through the Insecticides Act, 1968, and Insecticides Rules, 1971, and pesticides are allowed for use in the country only after considering data on different parameters such as chemistry, bio-efficacy, toxicity, packaging, and processing to ensure efficacy and safety to human beings, animals, and the environment. The details of doses, crops, precautionary measures, and antidotes are prescribed on labels and leaflets of pesticides. Dr Hargurpartap Singh from the small town of Nihal Singh Wala in Moga district is running a campaign against the use of Paraquat. He deals with acute poisoning and regularly comes across cases of ingesting Paraquat. Normally, farmers keep the chemical in their motor room or homes after use on crops and sometimes even ingest it upon any disturbance on the economic front or familial issues. He came across two cases in the last week, and both died as the intake caused multi-organ failure. In Punjab, both moong and maize are being sold below the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 8,682 per quintal and Rs 2,225 per quintal, respectively. While moong is fetching Rs 7,000-Rs 7,500 per quintal, maize is being sold at Rs 1,700-Rs 2,000 per quintal, depending upon the quality of the crop Jagraon in Ludhiana district is the biggest market for marketing of moong. Commission agents at Jagraon grain market said the crop fetched Rs 7,000-Rs 7,500.
Mint
06-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
New insecticide labelling rules: QR codes, safety symbols mandatory; ban on non-compliant products
New Delhi: In a move aimed at improving traceability, consumer awareness, and environmental safety, the Centre has notified new labelling rules for insecticide packaging, making quick response (QR) codes, safety pictograms or symbols, and detailed usage instructions mandatory across all sizes of insecticide packs. The new rules, notified on 5 June, amend the Insecticides Rules, 1971, and will come into force from the date of publication in the official gazette. This assumes significance as nearly 2.75% of pesticide samples tested across the country in FY24 were found to be substandard or spurious. Of the 80,789 samples analysed, 2,222 failed to meet the prescribed standards, according to data shared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. As per the Insecticides (First Amendment) Rules, 2025, insecticide labels must now be printed only in Hindi and English and contain a wide range of information—from brand names and usage categories to toxicity symptoms and customer care contacts. The QR code on each pack will carry unique product and batch-level data, including links to full label and leaflet information, it said. The amendment allows six months for companies to shift to the new labelling format. Insecticides that do not meet the revised specifications will be barred from sale, distribution, or stocking after 30 months from the date of notification. However, the rules include a provision for submitting suggestions or objections within the next 30 days. The new provisions apply to all insecticide packages, classified into three categories based on net content: ultra-small (1–50 gm/ml), small (51–250 gm/ml), and big (above 250 gm/ml). Labels must follow uniform standards with prescribed font sizes, safety icons, and warnings against misuse, including proper disposal methods. In addition to printed leaflets, large packs sold across states must carry instructions in regional languages. All insecticide labels must prominently display warnings such as 'read leaflet before use,' and mention the re-entry interval after application, approved by the registration committee. The inclusion of QR codes is meant to ensure end-users—particularly farmers—can verify product authenticity and access full usage instructions using their smartphones. The QR codes must link to the manufacturer's website and include manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, and product identifiers. For ultra-small and small packs, a secondary package must also display the full label information unless the primary pack already complies with the new rule. Pictograms indicating toxicity and environmental risk will be mandatory at the bottom of every label, scaled according to the pack size. Industry experts see the rule change as a significant shift toward safer and more accountable agrochemical practices. 'For too long, substandard or counterfeit labels have posed risks not only to farmers but also to consumers and the environment. Digital traceability could be a game-changer,' said Kalyan Goswami, director general of the Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI), a body representing India's agrochemical sector. India's pesticide market, valued at ₹ 26,000 crore in 2024, is projected to grow to about ₹ 44,010 core by 2033, according to market researcher and consultancy IMARC Group. The expansion is being fuelled by rising food production needs and greater demand for crop protection against pests and diseases.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From code to clarity: One square inch at a time
India's digital infrastructure has rapidly expanded, driven by the 2015 Digital India initiative, transforming access to services, finance, and information. A key enabler of this shift is the QR code, which, coupled with the growth of the Unified Payments Interface ( UPI ), has become ubiquitous across various sectors. In FY 2023–24 alone, over 100 billion UPI transactions were conducted—bringing digital payments fully into the mainstream. Its low cost and ease of use have particularly empowered small businesses and those in the informal sector to participate in the digital economy, bypassing traditional infrastructure. Initially introduced as a payment tool, the QR code has taken on a second life. It has become an access point—not just to money, but to information. Across medicine boxes, home appliances, packaged food, and public services, QR codes are quietly replacing printed materials. India now accounts for over 13 per cent of global QR code scans, second only to China. This evolution is not driven by hype but by practical utility. Building on this momentum, recent steps towards modernizing regulatory frameworks are embracing the power of digital connectivity. On August 16, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued a set of proposed amendments to the Insecticides Rules , 1971. Known as the Insecticides (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2024, these changes are aimed at modernizing and streamlining the regulation of insecticides, particularly those intended for household use. The amendments focus on simplifying licensing procedures, reducing administrative timelines, and introducing digital tools to enhance consumer access to product information. The new rules remove the renewal requirement for certain licenses, shorten application processing from ninety to thirty days, and exempt household insecticides from some endorsement and certification requirements. Most notably, the rules mandate QR codes on the packaging of household insecticides such as those used against mosquitoes, cockroaches, and houseflies. These QR codes will link consumers to the manufacturer's website, where full product information will be hosted. The decision is also timely, given broader concerns over waste and sustainability. India is facing a growing paper waste problem. By 2026–27, paper consumption is expected to reach 30 million tonnes. Today, the country produces about 1.45 lakh metric tonnes of solid waste every year, and over one-fifth of that is just paper and cardboard. Yet less than 30% of this paper is recovered and recycled—far below the global average of 58 per cent. In this context, QR codes offer a quiet but effective alternative. Unlike paper inserts—which are often hard to read, easily misplaced, or quickly outdated—QR codes don't wear out, don't run out of space, and can be updated at any time. They're easy to access with a phone, which most people now carry. And they help cut down on waste, save printing costs, and support digital habits. In small but important ways, they reduce the environmental burden while making life simpler for consumers. There are cost implications as well. For manufacturers, replacing physical leaflets with digital codes reduces recurring printing and distribution expenses. These savings can be redirected into product development or compliance improvements. For consumers, the change means easier access to information and less reliance on fragmented or unclear printed materials. These are proposed amendments, and the final gazette notification is still awaited. The draft reflects an intent to make regulation more efficient, less burdensome for businesses, and more transparent for consumers. The decision by the Ministry of Agriculture reflects a practical shift in regulation—toward simplification, efficiency, and traceability. It is a model that could be extended further. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare , which oversees regulation of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) such as packaged food and personal care products, could adopt a similar approach. Requiring QR codes for these categories would create a direct, verifiable channel for consumers to obtain accurate product data. It would also help reduce packaging waste and improve recall accuracy in case of compliance issues. In the near future, QR codes may become a routine part of everyday life in Indian households, much like they did in the payment's ecosystem. In sectors like pharmaceuticals, education, real estate, and metro ticketing, printed leaflets, brochures, and instruction manuals are being replaced with scannable codes linking to digital content. Globally, countries like Japan, Singapore, and France are adopting similar measures to reduce reliance on paper. As QR technology becomes more integrated into products and services, it may help India move toward more efficient, resource-conscious practices. Digitization of product information is not just a technical change. It alters how regulation is implemented and how citizens interact with consumer safety frameworks. Instead of relying on static labels, regulators and companies can communicate changes quickly. For users, information becomes available on demand, rather than being limited to what fits on a package. India's digital evolution is not only about new platforms or technologies. It is also about the integration of those tools into basic processes. The introduction of QR codes into household insecticide regulation is one such integration. If expanded across other sectors, it can lead to a more transparent, responsive, and cost-effective system for both regulators and the public. These may not look like sweeping reforms, but they are foundational and important. They suggest a method by which India can modernize its regulatory systems without imposing heavy costs or delays. Over time, as digital access continues to widen, these changes will shape how the country manages safety, compliance, and trust between producers and users. The opportunity lies in building on this direction— from code to clarity , one measure at a time. (DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and does not necessarily subscribe to it. shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organization directly or indirectly.)
