Biopesticides

Biopesticides are naturally derived substances or organisms used for pest and disease control in agriculture, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. They are broadly categorized into microbial (e.

g., *Bacillus thuringiensis*, *Trichoderma spp.*, Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus), botanical (e.g., neem extracts), and biochemical (e.g., pheromones) types, each with distinct modes of action. Microbial biopesticides typically infect or produce toxins lethal to pests, botanical ones act as repellents or growth disruptors, and biochemical agents interfere with pest behavior.

Their primary advantages include high target specificity, reduced environmental impact, minimal chemical residues on crops, and enhanced safety for farm workers and consumers. This makes them crucial for organic farming certification process and sustainable agriculture practices .

However, biopesticides also present challenges such as shorter shelf-life, variable efficacy influenced by environmental conditions, and often slower action compared to chemical counterparts. In India, the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) regulates biopesticides under the Insecticides Act, 1968, with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) overseeing genetically modified variants.

Government initiatives like the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) actively promote their adoption. The global and Indian markets for biopesticides are experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for residue-free food and a global shift towards environmentally conscious farming.

Understanding biopesticides is essential for UPSC aspirants to comprehend modern agricultural biotechnology, environmental policy, and food security challenges.