India’s Ministry of Agriculture data show that India’s bio-pesticide use increased more than the growth rate of chemical pesticide use. 2016 – 17 annual bio-pesticide consumption of 6340 tons, the amount of 57000 tons of chemical pesticides; and 2010-11 India’s biological pesticides and chemical pesticides were 5151 tons and 55,540 tons. Compared with the 2010-2011 pesticide use in India, the amount of bio-pesticide and chemical pesticide use increased by 23% and 2% respectively in 2016-17 years.

         Although the amount of bio-pesticide used in India in 2016-17 is not yet the final figure, the data clearly shows the trend of rising bio-pesticide use in India. Unlike chemical pesticides, bio-pesticides come from plant extracts, fungi, bacteria, protozoa and minerals. They protect the crop from pests and diseases while protecting the human and environmental health.