Adulterated pesticides dominate markets

CCP study says counterfeit pesticides damage crops, cause significant losses to farmers

ISLAMABAD:

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has sounded alarm over adulterated pesticides and market distortion in the agriculture sector, which are causing significant losses to farmers and undermining competition.

The regulator has also pointed out that overlapping federal and Punjab roles after the 18th Constitutional Amendment cause delays in registration. The CCP on Saturday released its "Competition Assessment Study of the Pesticide Sector in Pakistan," noting that counterfeit and adulterated pesticides had widespread presence in Punjab and Sindh, which damage crops, cause major financial losses to farmers and distort competition in the market.

The report reviews the structure, regulatory framework and overall performance of the pesticide sector, and highlights significant gaps that undermine fair competition and quality assurance. It noted that despite a large and expanding agricultural market, Pakistan had no local pesticide manufacturing facilities and relied entirely on imports. "Weak enforcement, regulatory gaps and complex approval procedures continue to create hurdles for genuine businesses and expose farmers to low-quality products."

While identifying the key prevailing issues, the CCP mentioned that fake and adulterated pesticides remained common in Punjab and Sindh, harming crops and hurting farmers.

“Pakistan fully depends on imported pesticides and no local manufacturing exists. High investment costs and long testing periods discourage domestic production,” the regulator said. A strict two-year shelf-life rule results in wastage, even when products remain effective longer, while weak enforcement allows counterfeit goods suppliers to evade penalties. Also, provincial laboratories lack capacity and trained staff for reliable testing and inspectors in Sindh face weak legal support, slowing prosecution.

According to the regulator, overlapping federal and Punjab roles after the 18th Amendment cause delays in registration and the Form-1 approval process is lengthy and complicated. Some imported products are unsuitable for Pakistan's climate and misuse of pesticides by farmers leads to health, environmental and export-quality problems.

The CCP underscored the need for reviewing and revising the two-year shelf-life limit and harmonising federal and provincial regulatory frameworks. It asked the government to simplify and speed up Form-1 registration system and promote climate-appropriate and locally tested pesticide formulations.

It called for strengthening inspections and legal enforcement against counterfeit products, upgrading provincial laboratories and improving technical staffing. It recommended that the government should support local manufacturing to reduce import dependence.

The commission emphasised that agricultural graduates should be provided help in becoming licensed distributors and pesticide regulations should be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals on food security, health care and climate resilience.