New legislation aims to align pesticide governance with current requirements, stakeholder concerns and Jan Vishwas Act provisions

New Delhi, July 28, 2026: The Government of India has initiated the process of updating the country’s pesticide regulatory framework with the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening pesticide management, improving regulatory systems and addressing emerging requirements in the agriculture sector.

The draft legislation has been prepared by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in alignment with present-day agricultural needs and provisions under the Jan Vishwas Act.

The development holds significance for the wider food, hospitality and tourism ecosystem, as improved agricultural safety standards can influence food quality, sustainable sourcing practices and consumer confidence across the farm-to-fork value chain.

Key Highlights

• Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2026 prepared by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• The Bill aims to modernise pesticide regulation in line with current requirements.
• Draft circulated to all Ministries, Departments and State/UT Governments on December 30, 2025 for feedback.
• Public consultation launched on January 7, 2026.
• Suggestions received from:
  • State and Union Territory governments
  • Central ministries and departments
  • Pesticide manufacturers
  • Dealers and retailers
  • Farmers
  • NGOs
  • Other stakeholders
• Key areas receiving feedback include pesticide management, regulatory mechanisms and data protection.

Stakeholder Consultation Shapes New Regulatory Framework

The draft Pesticides Management Bill was shared with government departments and state administrations to gather inputs before being placed in the public domain.

Following its public release, the government received extensive suggestions from various stakeholders, including industry associations, pesticide manufacturers, agricultural organisations and farmer groups.

The consultation process covered several aspects of pesticide governance, including:

• Registration and regulation of pesticides
• Management practices
• Industry compliance
• Data protection provisions
• Stakeholder responsibilities

The feedback received is expected to contribute towards developing a more comprehensive and responsive pesticide management framework.

Impact on Hospitality, Food & Beverage and Tourism Sector

While primarily focused on agriculture, improved pesticide regulation can have wider implications across India’s food and hospitality ecosystem.

1. Strengthening Food Safety Standards

A stronger pesticide management framework can support safer agricultural production, improving confidence in raw materials used by hotels, restaurants and food businesses.

2. Supporting Sustainable Food Practices

Hospitality brands increasingly focus on organic, sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients. Better regulatory oversight can encourage safer cultivation practices and traceable supply chains.

3. Enhancing Farm-to-Table Transparency

With growing consumer interest in ingredient origins, improved agricultural regulation can support transparency from farms to restaurants.

4. Boosting Culinary Tourism

Destinations known for regional cuisines and local produce can benefit from stronger food safety practices, supporting culinary tourism and experiential dining.

5. Supporting Responsible Procurement

Hotels, resorts and food companies may increasingly adopt sourcing partnerships with farmers following regulated and sustainable cultivation methods.

Government’s Focus on Modern Agricultural Regulation

The draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2026 reflects the government’s efforts to update agricultural regulations according to evolving scientific, technological and market requirements.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare stated that the information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

As India’s food economy continues to expand, a modern pesticide management framework could play an important role in strengthening agricultural sustainability, food safety and consumer trust across the hospitality and tourism value chain.