Biopesticide market and regulatory landscape with determinants of farm-level use in India

Biopesticides are emerging as a crucial component of sustainable pest management in India; however, their adoption remains limited, despite policy support and growing consumer demand for residue-free produce. This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Indian biopesticide sector, examining its market structure, regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and regional consumption patterns. Using the nationally representative NSS data and econometric analysis, we identify socioeconomic and institutional determinants of farmers’ expenditure on both chemical pesticides and biopesticides across key rice-growing states. The results show that factors such as agricultural training, household size, membership in farmer organizations, access to crop insurance, and expenditure on key inputs significantly influence the adoption of biopesticides, whereas formal education has a limited effect. The analysis also reveals significant regional disparities, with a small number of states accounting for nearly half of the nation’s biopesticide consumption. We discuss how India’s pragmatic regulatory approach, cost-effective domestic manufacturing, and targeted public initiatives provide a scalable model for promoting sustainable crop protection in other developing regions. Policy recommendations focus on streamlining registration, strengthening extension services, supporting private sector participation, and enhancing research on locally adapted, high-efficacy products. By integrating market, regulatory, and behavioural perspectives, this study advances the evidence base for scaling biopesticide use, offering insights relevant to agricultural sustainability and food safety in both India and the wider Global South.