NEW DELHI, AUGUST 26: Agrochemical manufacturers, input dealers, and agricultural communities across the country face a major operational shift as the Central government moves toward a complete ban on carbosulfan. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has instructed state governments to take all necessary measures under the Insecticides Act, 1968, to enforce the proposed draft order once finalized, effectively ending the domestic manufacture, import, distribution, and usage of the compound.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared that the decision was taken following extensive reviews and multi-stakeholder discussions. He stated that what is crucial had to be done, affirming that the government had evaluated the step over an extended period. He maintained that issuing the order after comprehensive consultations demonstrates the Centre’s firm policy focus on mitigating exposure to high-risk agricultural chemicals.
The regulatory push stems from comprehensive safety reviews initiated by an expert panel formed on January 14. After receiving the panel’s report on June 12, the Registration Committee evaluated safety studies and formally recommended a total ban. Technical findings categorized carbosulfan as a high-hazard carbamate chemical that degrades rapidly into carbofuran, a potent compound linked to acute systemic toxicity. The review noted serious hazards for birds, aquatic species, and pollinators, while pointing out that several international jurisdictions have already restricted or outlawed the chemical due to the lack of a specific medical antidote.
As part of the phase-out mechanism, holders of carbosulfan registration certificates have been given three months to surrender their credentials to the Registration Committee, after which legal enforcement mechanisms under the Insecticides Act will be initiated against non-compliant entities.
Examining the practical transition for the farm sector, agriculture policy analyst Ramesh Sharma asserted that agrochemical manufacturers will need to quickly adjust their product portfolios and phase out carbosulfan formulations. He declared that the prohibition will likely push farmers towards costlier or less-established alternatives, potentially increasing cultivation costs for major kharif crops such as paddy and cotton, while noting that the decision may simultaneously accelerate the adoption of bio-pesticides and safer chemical alternatives.
