Pesticide Residues

Concerns, Regulations and Management

 Pesticide Residues
Concerns, Regulations and Management

Dr. Chandrakant G. Sawant

Assistant Professor (Plant Protection)
MTTC & VTC, Selesih, Aizawl
College of Horticulture, Thenzawl - 796186
(Central Agriculture University, Imphal)

NEW DELHI - 110089 (INDIA)

Copyright © 2022, Jaya Publishing House, Delhi (India)

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 Contents

Foreword vii
Preface ix
About the Editor xi
List of Contributors xiii
1 Introduction and Scenario of Fruits and Vegetables Production 1
in India
2 Pesticide, its Residues and Environment 11
3 Pesticide, its Residues and Agriculture 26
4 Pesticide, its Residues and Health Issues 38
5 Pesticides and its Classification 48
6 Pesticides: Management, Purchase, Uses, and Safety 78
7 Bioassay of Pesticide and its Importance in Toxicity Testing 98
8 Label Claim and Labeling of Pesticides 112
9 Pesticide Regulations and Food Laws 120
10 Guidelines of Codex Alimentarius Commission 138
11 Concepts of Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), Maximum 148
Residue Li mit (MRL), Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), and Good
Agricultural Practices (GAP)
12 Pesticide Residues and Analytical methods of its detection 159
13 Sources of Pesticides Residues in Fruits and Vegetables 185
14 Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides 210
15 Management of Pesticide Residues 224
16 Prospectus of Organic Farming in India 245
Dr. S.N.Puri
President,
Entomological Society of India,
Ex-Vice Chancellor,
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (Maharashtra)
Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (Maharashtra)
Central Agricultural University, Imphal (Manipur)
Ex-Director, National Centre for Integrated Pest Management, New Delhi
Email ID:- [email protected], Contact No.:- 09923654400
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOREWORD
Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58 percent of India’s population.
After independence, the country has made immense progress toward food security. India’s
population has increased by threefold, whereas our food grain production has increased by
four times, with current production at 310 million metric tones. A substantial increase in
available food grain per capita has been achieved. Production of food grains has been increasing
every year, and India is among the top producers of several crops such as wheat, rice, pulses,
sugarcane, and cotton. It is the highest producer of milk and the second highest producer
of fruits and vegetables. With the adoption of intensive agricultural practices, agricultural
production continues to be affected by biotic and abiotic factors. However, biotic factors (i.e.,
insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes, and other arthropods) are of serious nature. The
pests cause considerable damage. Annual production losses in India are reported to the tune
of US $12.02 billion despite the use of 60,000 MT of pesticides. As per another estimate ₹
90,000 crores worth of crops is lost annually due to pests in India.

Industrialization of agriculture has led to the use of large quantities of agrochemicals.

More than 2,17,000 MT of technical material was produced in India during 2018-19. There
are 1175 pesticide molecules with chemical and biological origin around the world. India
is not only self-sufficient in pesticides but exports significant quantities to other countries.
Our country occupies the fourth position as a producer of pesticides globally with a pesticide
market worth ₹214 billion in 2019, which is projected to grow to a level of ₹ 316 billion in
2024. According to FAO, India’s average use of pesticides is less than 0.5 kg/ha, whereas
China uses 13. 06 kg/ha, Japan (11.85 kg/ha,) and Brazil (4.57 kg/ha). Although we use
less quantity of pesticides, only eight states in India use more than 70 percent of the total
quantity. 292 pesticides are registered for use in India; 104 of them have already been banned
in one or two countries. The impact of pesticide use on soil and the environment and the
7
presence of pesticide residues in food products is a matter of concern. Non-judicious use could
pose a potential threat to humans and other forms of life. Therefore, creating awareness about
unwanted side effects on human health and the environment becomes necessary to derive
maximum benefits from pesticide use in agriculture. Dr. C.G. Sawant and his team has
done commendable efforts by compiling information from different sources in this
book. I am sure it will provide critical information on this subject to the students,
teachers, researchers, and field workers working on these lines.

S. N. Puri

8
 Preface

An increase in food production is the foremost goal of all the countries in the world,
as the world population is continuously growing at a constant rate to reach about
10 billion by 2050. As a result, the world population is constantly increasing by
an estimation of 97 million per year. An alerting forecast issued by the Food and
Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations that world food production
needs to be increased by 70 percent to meet the demand of the growing population all
over the world. The use of pesticides has increased because of the increasing demand
for agricultural crops and decreasing availability of farming lands. Pesticides are widely
used in agriculture to manage and eradicate insect pests, weeds, and diseases. While
cultivating the soil and increasing crop production to meet the emerging demand of
the growing population, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, fertilizers,
and soil amendments are now being used unwisely and indiscriminately than in the
past. These pesticides and their residues are often persistent; they contaminate the
terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, posing a long-term threat of entering directly
and indirectly into the human body via the food chain. Apart from this, most of the
non-degradable pesticide residues have also entered into the food chain and food web
of humans and wild animals and have bioaccumulated in the higher tropic level. In
addition, toxicologists and environmentalists reported that pesticide residues in foods
can cause serious health issues, including cancers, neurological impairment, organ
failure, liver diseases, lung infections, heart diseases, respiratory tract infections, and
reproductive development effects. In addition, consumers and different environmental
groups have enormously prominent on managing and monitoring pesticide residues
in foods at various stages.

Fruits and vegetables have played an important role in human nutrition and
health since ancient times; they constitute an important part of our daily diet.
They are an important source of many sources like carbohydrates, vitamins, trace
minerals, and antioxidants. Indiscriminate use of pesticides to manage and control
the different insect pests in fruits and vegetables can lead to pesticide residues beyond
the MRLs set by international, national, and local authorities. For example, if the
farmers were to follow good agricultural practices (GAP), pesticide residues may
be below the maximum residue limit (MRL). In general, reports of many studies
and investigations carried out by researchers across the world clearly indicated that
9
pesticide residues are present in most fruits and vegetables, whether they may be
below MRL or above MRL.

In recent years, farmers have faced many challenges such as global warming,
attack of insect pests, the fraudulence of pesticides, pesticide residues in food, etc.
Policymakers, scientists, extension personnel, etc, were constantly taking emphasis
to solve problems related to new technology, update of the technology, technology
transfer, scientific training, crop production, and its marketing, etc. Now a day,
consumers are showing an increased interest in organic foods due to the detrimental
health effects of chemicals used while cultivating soil and food production. Therefore,
it is a need of an hour to work on a risk-benefit analysis of pesticides before using any
types of pesticides. The book entitled “Pesticide Residues in Fruits and Vegetables;
Health, Regulations and its Management” discusses the effects of pesticides on the
environment and agriculture, sources of pesticide residues, different types, modes of
action, analytical methods of pesticides detection in fruits and vegetables and laws and
regulations over the pesticides use. In addition to this, methods of pesticide residue
reductions in fruits and vegetables, alternatives of pesticides, and the prospectus of
organic farming in India are also discussed.

The readers of this edited book will be the undergraduate and graduate students,
researchers, academics, and workers working in different aspects of food production
in agriculture. In addition, professionals working in the food industry and regulatory
authorities will find this book informative fruitful. I am confident that the readers
will find this book informative and enlightening.

Chandrakant G. Sawant

10
 About the Editor

Dr. C. G. Sawant is born on 24th October, 1990 at Kauthali, Tal. Parali Vaijnath,
Dist. Beed (Maharashtra). He is presently working as an Assistant Professor (Plant
Protection) in Multi Technology Testing Centre & Vocational Training Centre,
Selesih, Aizawl and College of Horticulture, Thenzawl (Mizoram) under Central
Agricultural University, Imphal (Manipur). He has more than 3 years of teaching
and research experience in the field of Agricultural Entomology. He has pursued
his B.Sc. (Agriculture) and M.Sc. Agri (Agricultural Entomology) Degree from
Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (Maharashtra). He has
pursued his Ph.D. degree in Agriculture (Agricultural Entomology) from Mahatma
Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (Maharashtra). He has qualified ASRB-NET two
times in Agricultural Entomology.

Dr. C.G. Sawant has awarded “Certificate of Merit” and “Late Gopal Kishan
Kale Prize” for securing first rank during Post Graduation. He has also awarded with
“INSPIRE FELLOWSHIP” for Doctorial Research by Department of Science and
Technology, Ministry of science and Technology, GOI, New Delhi. He has Awarded
with “BEST DOCTORAL THESIS” by Society of Science and Technology for
Integrated Rural Improvement, Thorrur, Warangal, (Telengana), India. He also
awarded with “BEST RESEARCH SCHOLAR” and “CERTIFICATE OF
EXCELLENCE” by Professional societies.

Dr. C.G. Sawant has published 22 full length research papers in various National,
International and NASS rated journals, 12 abstract, 1 book, and above 30 popular
and review articles in Marathi and English Agricultural magazines. He has delivered
and broadcasted 2 radio talks on All India Radio Station (Akashwani). He is the life
time member of six professional societies related to Agriculture and allied sector.

11
 List of Authors

1. Dr. C.G. Sawant

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Agricultural Entomology), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Plant Protection), Multi Technology Testing Centre & Vocational
Training Centre, Selesih, Aizawl and College of Horticulture,
Thenzawl, CAU (I), Mizoram-796 186.
Email Id: - [email protected]

2. Dr. L.D. Sharma

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry),
Multi Technology Testing Centre & Vocational Training Centre, Selesih, Aizawl
and College of Horticulture, Thenzawl, CAU (I), Mizoram-796 186.
Email Id: - [email protected]

3. Mr. Rahul Sadhukhan

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D. Scholar (Agronomy), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Agronomy), Multi Technology Testing Centre & Vocational
Training Centre, Selesih, Aizawl and College of Horticulture,
Thenzawl, CAU (I), Mizoram-796 186.
Email Id: - [email protected]

4. Mr. Shinde S.S

M.Sc (Agri), Ph.D. Scholar (Agricultural Entomology), ASRB- NET
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra- 413 722.
Email Id: [email protected]

5. Miss. R. Lalrinfeli
M.Sc (Agri). ASRB-NET (Entomology),
Assistant Professor (Entomology),
College of Horticulture, Thenzawl, CAU (I), Mizoram-796 186.
Email Id: - [email protected]

13
6. Dr. Saraswati Mahato
M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Agricultural Entomology), ASRB-NET
Senior Research Fellow, Pesticide Residue and Food Quality Analysis Laboratory
(PRFQAL), College of Agriculture, University of Agriculture Science,
Raichur-584 104, Karnataka.
Email: [email protected]

7. Miss. Hemadri Thammali, V.

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D Scholars (Agricultural Entomology), ASRB-NET
College of Agriculture, University of Agriculture Science, Raichur-584 104, Karnataka.
Email: [email protected]

8. Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy

M.Sc. (Biotechnology), APSET (Biotechnology),
Senior Research Fellow, Pesticide Residue and Food Quality Analysis Laboratory
(PRFQAL), University of Agriculture Science, Raichur-584 104, Karnataka.
Email: [email protected]

9. Dr. Guru P. N.
M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Agricultural Entomology), ASRB-NET
Scientist (Agricultural Entomology)
ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology,
Ludhiana-141 004, Punjab
Email: [email protected]

10. Dr. Patil C. S.

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Agricultural Entomology), ASRB-NET
Head of the Department and Residue Analyst,
Department of Entomology, AINP on Pesticide Residues,
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722, (Maharashtra)
Email: [email protected]

11. Mr. Samota M. K.

M. Sc (Agri)
Scientist (Agricultural Entomology), ASRB-NET
ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology,
Ludhiana-141 004 (Abohar), Punjab,
Email: [email protected]

14
12. Mr. Sharma T.
M. Sc (Agri)
Project Assistant – DST Project
ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology,
Ludhiana-141 004, Punjab
Email: [email protected]

13. Miss. Singla A.

M. Sc (Agri)
JRF – DST Project
ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology,
Ludhiana-141 004, Punjab
Email: [email protected]

14. Dr. Chingtham Chanbisana

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Horticulture-Post Harvest Technology), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Post Harvest Technology)
Department of Post Harvest Management
College of Horticulture, Central Agricultural University (Imphal),
Thenzawl-796 186, Mizoram,
Email id: [email protected]

15. Miss. Esther Lalruatsangi

M.Sc. (Horti), Ph.D. Scholar (Fruit Science), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Fruit Science)
Department of Fruit Science
College of Horticulture, Central Agricultural University (Imphal),
Thenzawl-796 186, Mizoram
Email id: [email protected]

16. Dr. Rojeet Thangjam

M.Sc (Agri). Ph.D (Entomology), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Entomology),
College of Horticulture, Thenzawl, CAU (I),
Mizoram-796 186.
Email Id: - [email protected]

15
17. Dr. Gagan Preet Kour Bali
M.Sc. B.Ed, Ph.D (Zooloy), NET
Researcher, Zoology and Environmental Sciences,
Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab-147 002
Email Id: - [email protected]

18. Dr. Amritpal Singh Kaleka

M.Sc. M. Phil, Ph.D (Zooloy), NET
Assistant Professor (Zoology)
Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences,
Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab-147 002
Email Id: - [email protected]

19. Dr. Lalhmingsanga

M.Sc. (Horti), Ph.D (Vegetable Science), ASRB-NET
Department of Vegetable Science,
College of Horticulture, Central Agricultural University (Imphal),
Thenzawl-796 186, Mizoram
Email id- [email protected]

20. Miss. B.Vanlalneihi

M.Sc. (Horti), Ph.D Scholar (Vegetable Science), ASRB-NET
ICAR-JRF (Vegetable Science) 1st Rank Holder
Department of Vegetable Science,
College of Horticulture, Central Agricultural University (Imphal),
Thenzawl-796 186, Mizoram
Email id- [email protected]

21. Shannon N. Sangma

M.Sc. (Agril. Chemicals), ASRB-NET.
Scientist (Level 10)
ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Jarkhand Campus,India–825 411
Email [email protected]

22. S. Phibahunjai Syiem

M.Sc. (Horti), Ph.D Scholar (Vegetable Science), ASRB-NET
ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta, India-560 089
Email [email protected]

16
23. Ajaykumara K. M
M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Entomology), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pashighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur
Email:- [email protected]

24. Rajeshwari Hiremath

M. Sc.(Entomology), SRB-NET
JRF (Entomology)
AICRP Biological Control
College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pashighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur
Email:- [email protected]

25. Dr. N. Surmina Devi

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Plant Pathology), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology)
College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pashighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur
Email id:- [email protected]

26. Dr. T. Shantibala

M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Entomology), ASRB-NET
Associate Professor (Entomology),
College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur

27. NY Chanu
M.Sc. (Agri), Ph.D (Entomology), ASRB-NET
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
AICRP Medicianl and Auromatic Crops.
College of Horticulture and Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur.
Email:- [email protected]

17
28. Dr. Chhaungpuii Khawlhring
M.Sc., Ph.D (Horticulture), NET
Associate Professor
Mzioram University (Tanhril), India – 796 014
Email:- [email protected]

29. B. Lalramhlimi
M.Sc. (Horti), Vegetable Science
Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (Mohanpur)-741 252
Email:- [email protected]

18
 Chapter - 1
Introduction and Scenario of Fruits and Vegetables
Production in India

B. Vanlalneihi, S. Phibahunjai Syiem, Lalhmingsanga,

Chhungpuii Khawlhring, B. Lalramhlimi and C.G.Sawant

Introduction
High concentrations of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, especially
antioxidants, present in fruit and vegetable crops make them excellent sources and are
therefore considered in dietary guidance (Dhandevi and Rajesh, 2015). The general
recommendation for intake of fruit crops is 400 grams/day and for vegetable crops
is 300grams /day, which includes green vegetables and root and tubers of 50 grams/
day each and other vegetables 200 grams/day (Sachdeva et al. 2013).

After China, India has the largest area and production in fruit and vegetable
crops. Horticulture production has shown an increasing trend over the years and
as per the 3rd advance estimate 2020-21, total Horticulture production is 331.05
Million tonnes as compared to 2017-18 which was 310.67 Million metric tonnes
as depicted in the graph (Figure 1.1).
Fig. 1.1 HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION
(Million tonne)
350 310.67 311.053 320.471 331.048
300
250
184.041 183.17 188.284 197.23
200
150 103.027
96.447 97.967 102.028
100
50
0
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
(3rd Advance estimate)
Fruits(MT) Veg(MT) (TotalHorticultureMT)
2 Pesticide Residues: Concerns, Regulations and Management

Table 1. The scenario of horticulture area, production, and productivity in India

Particulars Area Area Production Production Productivity

(M ha) share (%) (MMT) share (%) (MT/ha)
Fruits (including 6.914 25.06 103.027 31.12 14.90
nuts)
Vegetables 10.966 39.75 197.23 59.58 17.99
Spices 4.528 16.41 10.679 31.12 2.36
Flowers 0.329 1.19 2.605 0.79 7.92
Aromatic and 0.659 2.39 0.779 0.24 1.18
medicinal crops
Honey 0.125
Plantation crops 4.19 15.19 16.602 5.01 3.96
Total 27.586 --- 331.048 --- 12.00
M ha- Million hectare, MMT- Million Metric Tonne,MT- Metric Tonne, ha- hectare
(3rd Adv. Est. 2020-21).

Among the horticultural produce, vegetable crops occupy the largest area and
production, 10.97 Million hectares and 197.23 Million tonnes, respectively. This
showed a significant increase in production from 2017-18, which was 184.041
Million Tonnes. It is followed by fruit crops with showed an increase from 96.45
million tonnes (2017-18) to a production of 103.03 Million tonnes from an area
of 6.914 Million hectares (3rd Adv. Est. 2020-21). In India, Karnataka ranks first
in area (2362.84 Thousand hectares) and Uttar Pradesh in production (37582.42
Thousand tonnes) of Horticultural crops. Uttar Pradesh has the second largest area
of 2282.40 thousand hectares, and West Bengal has the second largest production
of 32681.17 Thousand Tonnes (3rd Adv. Est. 2019-20).

Fruit Crops
In India, the largest area in Fruit crops is occupied by Mango (2.33 Million hectares)
followed by Citrus (1.09 Million hectares) and Banana (0.92 Million hectares). In contrast,
Banana leads in production (33.38 Million tonnes) followed by Mango (20.82 Million
tonnes) and Citrus (14.26 Million tonnes) with the highest productivity in Papaya
(40.42 MT/ha) and followed by Banana (36.16 MT/ha) shown in figure 1.2, 1.3, 1.4.
C.G. Sawant 3

Fig. 1.2 FRUIT CROPS AREA Fig. 1.3 FRUIT CROPS PRODUCTION
(Million hectare, 3rd Adv. Est. 2020-21) (Million Tonne, 3rd Adv. Est 2020-21)

33.38
5.00 50.00

20.82
2.33

14.26
0.92

1.09

4.47
6.06

2.73
0.72
0.27
0.10
0.30

0.78

3.09
0.15
0.31
0.31
0.11
0.08
0.15

1.77
2.06

3.23
0.00 0.00
Banana

Guava

Pineapple

Others

Guava

Others
Apple

Pomegranate

Apple

Pomegranate
Sapota

Sapota
Mango

Banana
Papaya

Papaya

Pineapple
Grapes

Mango
Citrus

Litchi

Litchi
Grapes
Citrus
Maharashtra has the largest area (785.13 Thousand hectares) and is the second
largest in production (11544.26 Thousand tonnes). Andhra Pradesh has the largest
production (17515.92 Thousand tonnes) and second largest in area (708.49 Thousand
hectares) figure 1.5, 1.6. In India, Karnataka has the highest area (110.55 Thousand
hectares) in Banana, and Andhra Pradesh has the highest in production (50003.07
thousand metric tonnes). In Mango, Uttar Pradesh has the largest area (265.62
Thousand hectares) and production (4551.83 Thousand metric tonnes) (NHB, 2018).

Fig. 1.4 PRODUCTIVITY(MT/Ha

40.42
36.16

45.00
40.00
35.00
21.24

30.00
16.58
13.13

13.13

25.00
11.39
10.04

20.00
8.96

8.98

15.00
6.59

7.35

10.00
5.00
0.00
Pomegranate
Guava

Others
Sapota
Banana

Grapes
Mango

Pineapple

Litchi
Papaya
Citrus

Apple
4 Pesticide Residues: Concerns, Regulations and Management

Fig. 1.5 Area share of leading fruit producing states for 2019-20
10.5%
800 (3rd advance estimate)
700

7.3%
11.7%
600
6.6%

5.8%
5.7%

5.8%
500

4.8%
4.8%

4.9%

4.6%

4.7%

4.02%
400
3.4%

3.5%

2.7%

2.7%
2.5%

300

0.95%
1.01%

1.5%
1.5%

0.8%
0.7%

0.7%

0.5%
0.6%
200

0.3%
1%

0.2%
100
0
CHHATISGARH

HIMACHAL
ANDHRA
ARUNACHAL

GUJARAT

UTTARANCHAL
BIHAR

WEST BENGAL
MANIPUR
JHARKHAND

MADHYA

TAMIL NADU
MEGHALAYA
HARYANA

TRIPURA
ASSAM

OTHERS
NAGALAND

RAJASTHAN
MIZORAM

SIKKIM
KERALA

MAHARASHT

UTTAR
KARNATAKA

TELANGANA
JAMMU

ODISHA
PUNJAB
Fig. 1.6 Production share of leading fruit producing states for 2019-20
17.4%

18000 (3rd advance estimate)

16000
11.5%

10.9%
14000
9.2%

12000
7.9%
7.02%

10000
5.6%

8000
4.2%

6000 3.6%
2.5%
2.6%

2.5%

2.1%
1.7%

1.9%
2.1%
0.13%

1.2%
0.8%

1.1%

0.7%
4000
NAGALAND 0.3%
0.4%
MIZORAM 0.3%

0.6%
0.5%

SIKKIM 0.1%

OTHERS 0.1%
1%

2000
0
CHHATISGARH

WEST BENGAL
HIMACHAL

MADHYA

UTTARANCHAL
JHARKHAND
GUJARAT

TELANGANA
MEGHALAYA
KARNATAKA

RAJASTHAN
ANDHRA

BIHAR

TAMIL NADU
MANIPUR
MAHARASHT
ARUNACHAL

JAMMU

TRIPURA
PUNJAB
HARYANA

UTTAR
KERALA
ASSAM

ODISHA

Vegetable Crops
The largest area (2.248 Million hectares) and production (54.23 million tonne) in
vegetable crops in India is occupied by Potato, followed by Onion, in addition, Tapioca
has the highest productivity (Figure 1.7, 1.8, 1.9). West Bengal begs the largest area
and production in vegetable crops with 1501.07 Thousand hectares and 28113.03
Thousand tonnes, respectively, followed by Uttar Pradesh (26194.61 Thousand tonnes).
Andhra Pradesh has the highest productivity in Vegetable Crops (Figure 1.10, 1.11).
Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the area (614.78 Thousand hectares) and production
(15555.53 Thousand tonnes) of Potato while Madhya Pradesh in Productivity. In
Onion, Maharashtra leads in the area (507.96 Thousand hectares) and production
 0

0
100

500
1500
2000
Potato 54.23
C.G. Sawant

ANDHRA PR Tomato 21.056

2.4%
ARUNACHAL PR Onion 26.83
0.03%
ASSAM 3% Brinjal 12.695
BIHAR Tapioca
8% 5.867

0
1
2
CHHATISGARH Cabbage

0.5
1.5
2.5
4.9% 9.567
GUJARAT 6.3% Cauliflower 9.225
HARYANA Okra Potato 2.248
3.7% 6.494
HIMACHAL PR 0.9% Peas 5.855 Tomato
JAMMU KASH 0.865
0.6% Sweet potato 1.211
JHARKHAND Onion 1.639
2.9% Others 21.568

Fig. 1.8 Vegetable Crops Production

KARNATAKA 3.7% Brinjal 0.76

(Million Tonne, 3rd Adv. Est 2020-21)

KERALA 0.9% Tapioca
MADHYA PR 9.8% 0.188
MAHARASHT Cabbage 0.415
7.8%
MANIPUR 0.4% Cauliflower 0.473

0.00
5.00
MEGHALAYA

10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
40.00
45.00
0.5% Okra 0.544
MIZORAM 0.4% Potato 24.12 Peas

(3rd advance estimate)

NAGALAND 0.4% 0.373
Tomato 24.34
Fig. 1.7 Vegetable Crops Area

ODISHA 5.7% Sweet potato 0.111

PUNJAB Onion 16.37
3.6% Others 1.523
RAJASTHAN 1.2% Brinjal 16.70
(Million hectare, 3rd Adv. Est. 2020-21)

SIKKIM Tapioca 31.21

0.4%
3.6% Cabbage 23.05
TAMIL NADU
Cauliflower 19.50
TELANGANA 1.2%
0.4% Okra 11.94
TRIPURA
UTTAR PR 12.1% Peas 10.18
Sweet potato

Fig. 1.10 Area share of leading vegetable producing states for 2019-20
UTTARANCHAL 1% 10.91
Fig. 1.4 Productivity (MT/Ha)

VALUE 14.6% Others 14.16

WEST BENGAL
OTHERS 0.4%
(8854.09 Thousand tonnes) and Gujarat in Productivity. Odisha leads in the area (91.01
Thousand hectares), and Andhra Pradesh leads in the production of Tomato (2744.32
5

Thousand metric tonnes) and highest productivity by Madhya Pradesh (NHB, 2018).
6 Pesticide Residues: Concerns, Regulations and Management

14.8%
13.8%
30000

10.5%
25000 8.6%

7.2%
6.9%
20000

4.7%
4.2%
15000
4.1%

3.2%

3.2%

2.9%
4%
BIHAR 1.9%

1.9%

1.5%
10000
0.01%

1.1%

0.5%
0.7%

0.3%
0.2%

0.2%

0.1%

0.4%

0.3%
0.1%
1%

1%
5000
0

WEST BENGAL
MEGHALAYA
CHHATISGARH

JAMMU KASH
ANDHRA PR

JHARKHAND

MANIPUR

SIKKIM
NAGALAND
HIMACHAL PR

UTTAR PRA
UTTARANCHAL

OTHERS
TAMIL NADU
PUNJAB

TRIPURA
RAJASTHAN
GUJARAT

TELANGANA
ASSAM

ODISHA
MIZORAM
KERALA

MAHARASHT
HARYANA

KARNATAKA

MADHYA PR
ARUNACHAL PR

Fig. 1.11 Production share of leading vegetable producing states for 2019-20
(3rd advance estimate)
Spice Crops
In Spice Crops, Rajasthan leads in the area (873.27 Thousand hectares) followed
by Gujarat (382.72 Thousand hectares). The spice production is top by Rajasthan
(3010.17 Thousand tonnes), with Uttarakhand having the highest productivity (5.88
MT/ha) as shown in Figure 1.14, 1.15. Among spice crops, cumin holds the largest
in the area (1.241 Million hectares), with the largest in production was occupied
by garlic (3.185 Million Metric tonnes) as shown in Figure 1.12, 1.13. Gujarat and
Rajasthan are the highest cumin producer, with an annual production of 384.47
Thousand tonnes and 302.17 Thousand tonnes, respectively. In Garlic, Rajasthan
holds the largest area and production, which is 112.89 Thousand hectares and 582.08
Thousand tonnes (NHB, 2018).

Fig. 1.12 PRODUCTIVITY(MT/Ha) Fig. 1.13 SPICE CROPS PRODUCTION

(Million Tonne, 3rd Adv. Est 2020-21)
20.00
10.71

3.185

4.000
8.15

2.002

1.832
3.98
3.66

10.00
2.50
2.87

1.68
1.61

1.00
0.65

2.000
0.856
0.69
1.26

0.47
1.46
0.76

0.50
0.13

1.064

0.832
0.159
0.203
0.127
0.123
0.120
0.022
0.015
0.005
0.001
0.047
0.031

0.00
0.000
Cu ric
rm )

ma in
Ca Fen nd

g
& ve
am l
om
Tu ried

py
rd ne

me
m
e

ill Clo
op
ri

y
pp
d

ut

Nu om
rm )
P

Cu ric

Ca Fen d
rd nel

y,D Clo g
ma in

ill ve
Tu ried
es(

Po
e
rin
N
Ta

tm
m
e

am
illi

&
d
es(
y,D
Ch

Ta
illi
ler

Ch
Ce

ler
Ce
 0
200
400
600
800
1000

0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
ANDHRA PRAD
C.G. Sawant

ANDHRA PRAD 4.5%

8.3% ARUNACHAL PR
ARUNACHAL PR 0.4%
0.5% ASSAM 2.5%
ASSAM BIHAR
BIHAR 3.4% 0.2%

Plantation Crops
CHHATISGARH 0.1% CHHATISGARH
0.4%
0.3% GUJARAT 16.9%
GUJARAT
10.4% HARYANA
HARYANA 0.3%
0.6% HIMACHAL PR 0.2%
HIMACHAL PRAD 0.1% JHARKHAND 0.1%
JHARKHAND 0.01% KARNATAKA 7.3%
KARNATAKA 8% KERALA
KERALA 3.9%
1.8% MADHYA PRADSH
MADHYA PRADSH
15.5%
30.9% MAHARASHT 0.9%
MAHARASHTA 2.2% MANIPUR
MANIPUR 0.3%
0.3% MEGHALAYA 0.4%

Plantation crops. (Figure 1.16, 1.17 and 1.18).

MEGHALAYA 0.8% MIZORAM 0.7%
MIZORAM 1%
NAGALAND 0.3%
NAGALAND 0.5% ODISHA 3.6%
ODISHA 3% 0.8%
PUNJAB
PUNJAB 1.2% RAJASTHAN 21.1%
RAJASTHAN 9.5% SIKKIM 1.1%
SIKKIM 1.1% TAMIL NADU 2.5%
TAMIL NADU 1.8% TELANGANA 3.4%
TELANGANA 6.6% 0.2%
0.3% TRIPURA 9.3%
TRIPURA UTTAR PRA
UTTAR PRADESH
2.9% 0.3%
0.8% UTTARANCHAL
UTTARANCHAL 2.9%
WEST BENGAL
WEST BENGAL 3.5% 0.1%
0.04% OTHERS
Fig. 1.14 Area share of leading spice producing states for 2019-20(3rd advance estimate)

OTHERS

Fig. 1.15 Production share of leading spice producing states for 2019-20(3rd advance estimate)

production (14.572 Million tonnes,) and productivity (6.67 MT/ha) in India

(1.265 Million tonnes). Kerala holds the largest area (971.59 Thousand hectares)
followed by cashew nut in area (1.159 Million hectares) and arecanut in production
7

and production (5505.84 Thousand Tonnes) and productivity (5.67 MT/ha) in

In Plantation crops, Coconut occupies the largest area (2.185 Million hectares),
8 Pesticide Residues: Concerns, Regulations and Management

Fig 1.16 Plantation crops, 3rd Adv. Est. 2020-21

14.572
16
14
12
10
6.67
8
6
2.185

1.159

1.265
1.70
4
0.738

0.744

0.103
0.027
0.64

0.26
2
0
Coconut Cashew nut Acrcaenut Cocoa
Area(M ha) Production(MT) Productivity(MT/ha)
31.1%

1400
23.9%

1200
1000

14.2%
800
600
8.4%

6.3%
5.5%
0.002%

400
0.02%

0.01%
2.7%

2.9%
0.04%
0.3%

0.4%

0.7%

1.3%
0.8%
0.9%

0.3%

200 0.4%
0
D U L
AR R T N KA
N TA

H D
PR PR YA D NA URA GA ERS
M
R

N
M AS A

A
M

HISGA RAHA TA A
A H

A
U

A N GA P EN H
AR AL

AL
RA

A I
A

L L
IP

R BAT JA RK A L AN TRI T B OT
IS

A A
SS

AH R

H
O

H
D

H U N G I
M KE

G
G JHA AR
IZ

D AC
H
ES
A

H E A M L
N A TE
M

A N C K M N W
T
RU Fig.1.17 Area share of leading plantation producing states for 2019-20
A (3rd advance estimate)
34.3%

6000
24.3%

21.2%

5000
4000
7.8%

3000
0.002%
0.001%

0.04%

0.03%
3.4%

0.05%
1.2%

1.9%

2000
1.3%
0.3%

0.2%

0.3%
0.1%

1.4%
0.1%

2%

1000
0
U A A L S
SS SH

A D
KA D AN UR GA ER
M

AY
D

N A

A
R
JH UJ ARH
G SG AR

N
A
H B M
PR R

H T

A T
A E

H
N

RA

L A
AR AL

A A
RK RA
AD

M ASH

N NG RIP EN TH
P

IP

A L
AT IH

IS

AT
O

H A
H RA

AH ER

L A T TB O
A A

G
IZ

N G I
I

E
M EL
K

R A
ES
AL
AC H

A M N A T
UN ND

K T W
CH

Fig.1.18 Production share of leading plantation producing states for 2019-20

AR A

(3rd advance estimate)

C.G. Sawant 9

In India, Kerala is the largest area and production holder for Coconut with 807.13
thousand hectares and 5829 thousand tonnes, respectively. Karnataka is first in area
and production of Arecanut, which is 254.64 thousand hectares and 517.35 thousand
respectively (NHB, 2018).

Export of horticultural produce in India 2020-21

Fruits & veg seeds
Cucumber &
4%
gherkin 8% Fresh onions
14%
Processed fruits,
juices & nuts 16% Other fresh
veg 11%
Mango
pulp 4% Fresh
mangoes 1%

Processed Fresh grapes

veg 19% Walnut Other fresh 12%
0% fruits 11%
Fig1.19 Share contribution (%)
In 2020-21, the highest contribution to the export of Horticultural Produce is
from processed vegetables which is 19 % followed by processed fruits, juices, and
nuts which is 16%. Fresh onions, fresh grapes, and other fresh fruits and vegetables
contribute 14%, 12%, and 11%, respectively (Figure 1.19).
1578016.57

Fig1.20 Export of horticultural produce in India 2020-21

(Source: DGCIS Annual data,APEDA
2000000
609612.93
682085.8

1500000
403355.38
371862.95
282653.44

306990.51
317342.41
214320.11

246107.37
229845.05

223331.33

165181.82
22351.51
71440.84

80840.15
21033.56
27187.82

98369.75

1000000
17177.18
1069.66
2978.69

500000

0
Other fresh veg

Processed fruits,

Fruits & veg seeds

Cucumber &
gherkin
Other fresh fruits

Processed veg

juices & nuts

Fresh mangoes

Fresh grapes
Fresh onions

Walnut

Mango pulp

Quality(MT) Value(Rsn lacs)

10 Pesticide Residues: Concerns, Regulations and Management

Fresh Onions contributes the highest earning value to the export of Horticultural
Produce in India with a production quantity of 1578016.57 MT and a value of
Rs.282653.44/-. The major destinations are Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and
United Arab Emirates. It is followed by other fresh vegetables, including cabbage,
cauliflower, tomatoes, okra, and peas, with a value of Rs.214320.1/- (Figure 1.20).

India has come a long way from food insufficiency to sufficiency in the production
of fruits and vegetables. However, the availability of the required recommendation in
an adult’s diet is yet to be achieved. The main constraint to the production of fruit and
vegetable crops is due to improper and lack of cold storage facilities which results in
tremendous post-harvest losses and reduced value of the crops. Horticultural produce
has a huge potential in international markets, so efforts and priorities from the Indian
government will serve as an impetus for an enhanced and efficient production of
fruits and vegetables. This will lead to an increase in the value of the horticultural
produce from exports and will thus play a part in improving the country’s economy.

References
APEDA, India Export Statistics, 2020-21.

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Horticulture Crops for 2020-21

(3rd Advance Estimate), 2019- Advance Estimate)

Dhandevi, P. E. M. and Jeewon, R. (2015). Fruit and vegetable intake:

Benefits and progress of nutrition education interventions-narrative review
article. Iranian journal of public health, 44(10): 1309.

National Horticulture Database, 2018.

Sachdeva, S., Sachdev, T. R. and Sachdeva, R. (2013). Increasing fruit and

vegetable consumption: challenges and opportunities. Indian journal of
community medicine: official publication of Indian Association of Preventive &
Social Medicine, 38(4): 192.