The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has released a market review report on agricultural pesticides and crop sprays, warning that the widespread presence of fake and adulterated products in Punjab and Sindh is damaging crops, causing financial losses to farmers, and distorting competition among manufacturers.
According to the report, Pakistan is fully dependent on imported agricultural pesticides, as there is no local production of active ingredients. The CCP noted that weak enforcement of existing laws, regulatory gaps, and lengthy and complex approval procedures for new pesticides and sprays are discouraging fresh investment in the sector.
The commission said the problem of counterfeit and adulterated agricultural chemicals is particularly serious in Punjab and Sindh. It pointed out that while the shelf life of pesticides in Pakistan is limited to two years, similar products in other countries remain effective for up to five years. The report stated that the two-year shelf life requirement leads to unnecessary wastage of agricultural chemicals.
The report further highlighted a lack of capacity and trained manpower in provincial pesticide testing laboratories, along with weak implementation of relevant laws, which allows counterfeiters to exploit the system. It added that overlapping federal and provincial jurisdictions after the 18th Constitutional Amendment have also emerged as a major hurdle in improving and developing the sector.
To address these issues, the Competition Commission has put forward several recommendations. These include harmonising federal and provincial laws through a comprehensive legal review, simplifying and expediting the Form-1 testing and approval process for pesticides, and revisiting shelf life requirements in line with local climatic conditions. The commission also recommended strict action against counterfeit products, enhanced penalties and fines, improvement of provincial laboratory and technical capacity, promotion of local production, and government support for agricultural graduates to become licensed distributors.
The CCP said that effective enforcement, better coordination, and a clear regulatory framework could improve competition in the agricultural pesticides market, reduce risks to crops and financial losses for farmers, and support broader agricultural and environmental objectives. The full report is available on the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s website.
