GANDHINAGAR, 6 January 2026: Indian enforcement agencies have exposed a large, organised network engaged in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit agrochemicals across Gujarat, with officials estimating the value of the illegal trade could exceed INR 1,000 crore, underscoring a growing threat to farmer livelihoods, food safety and the broader agricultural economy.
The latest crackdown took place on 30 December in Rajkot, following a series of raids and first information reports (FIRs) registered through 2025, including actions in Ahmedabad and Rajkot in September, October and November. Investigators say these operations reveal a well-coordinated ecosystem of producers, agents, distributors and retailers selling spurious products under the guise of established agrochemical brands.
Despite repeated seizures, authorities believe several operators remain active, using layered supply chains and cash-based transactions to evade regulatory scrutiny. Rajkot has emerged as a key epicentre of the illicit trade, while Ankleshwar has been flagged for circulation of unregulated loose seeds and agrochemicals. In multiple cases, products marketed as “bio” or organic alternatives were found to contain chemical residues and lacked mandatory registration with the Central Insecticides Board (CIB).
Industry estimates suggest the economic fallout is significant. A 2015 FICCI study indicated that a 25% prevalence of non-genuine agrochemical products could reduce crop yields by around 4%, translating into an annual loss of nearly 10.6 million tonnes of food production. The knock-on effects include risks to export volumes of food grains, fruits and vegetables, with cumulative losses running into billions of dollars.
Officials warn that the issue extends beyond Gujarat, with counterfeit products moving into neighbouring states such as Maharashtra, causing crop damage and eroding trust in regulated agricultural inputs. The spread of spurious chemicals also raises serious food safety and public health concerns due to soil and water contamination.
Experts say dismantling these networks will require stricter enforcement, faster prosecutions and deterrent penalties. They also stress the need for a nationwide farmer awareness programme, led jointly by the agriculture ministry and industry, to help farmers identify genuine products and prevent further damage to India’s food and farming ecosystem.
