ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s agriculture sector is grappling with mounting uncertainty as prolonged delays in pesticide registrations and import approvals at the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in Karachi jeopardize the timely availability of vital crop protection products.
The Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA) has voiced strong concerns in a formal letter addressed to the Adviser and Director General of the DPP, with a copy sent to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
In the letter dated June 30, PCPA Executive Director Muhammad Sarwar Rahi pointed out that a substantial number of registration applications under Form-1, Form-16, and Form-17 remain unresolved.
Despite product approvals granted during the 62nd APTAC meeting, the DPP has yet to issue the corresponding Form-1 registration certificates.
This delay has disrupted import schedules and marketing efforts, hindering pesticide availability during a crucial phase of the cropping cycle.
The letter also notes that the backlog includes many Form-16 applications for generic pesticides and Form-17 submissions for new chemical products, including renewals.
Industry representatives have expressed concern over the slow and inconsistent decision-making at the DPP, where repeated and unclear queries are reportedly causing unnecessary procedural delays.
The PCPA described the situation as “alarming,” warning that it directly threatens the timely release and availability of crop protection products in the domestic market.
Industry insiders allege that these repeated queries may be a tactic to pressure importers into making unofficial payments or deals with DPP officials responsible for issuing the certificates.
The PCPA emphasized that the current cropping season is critical, with major crops like cotton and rice already in the fields.
The supply of essential pesticides for pest and disease management is becoming increasingly difficult.
Concerns were also raised about the upcoming wheat sowing season and the cultivation of key vegetables like potato, tomato, and cucumber, cautioning that shortages may persist unless regulatory issues are urgently addressed.
The association stressed that in the current challenging economic climate, every day of delay adds to the difficulties faced by pesticide companies, distributors, and farmers.
It called on the authorities to resolve the bottlenecks at the DPP immediately to enable timely sourcing, importing, and distribution of crop protection products.
PCPA urged the federal government to intervene without delay, warning that continued bureaucratic inefficiencies could severely impact the agricultural sector.
With farmers already under pressure from economic and climatic challenges, any further disruption in pesticide supply could significantly affect crop yields and threaten national food security.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Concepts
What is the Department of Plant Protection (DPP)?
The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) is a regulatory authority under Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security & Research. It oversees the registration, import, and quality control of pesticides and plant protection products. In 2025, delays in its operations have led to significant disruptions in pesticide availability, affecting crop productivity.
What is pesticide registration (Form-1, Form-16, Form-17)?
In Pakistan, companies must register crop protection products through specific forms: Form-1 for new product approvals, Form-16 for generics, and Form-17 for new chemical compositions or renewals. Regulatory backlogs in these forms, as highlighted in 2025, are stalling imports and affecting farming operations during critical crop seasons.
What is the Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA)?
The PCPA is an industry body representing companies involved in the pesticide and crop protection business. It advocates for policy reforms, regulatory efficiency, and transparent operations. In June 2025, it raised alarms over bureaucratic delays threatening the timely supply of pesticides.
What crops are currently in season in Pakistan (mid-2025)?
In July 2025, cotton and rice are the primary crops in the field, requiring significant pesticide use to manage pests and diseases. Farmers are also preparing for wheat sowing and vegetable planting (like potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers), making pesticide availability vital for upcoming harvests and national food security.
How do bureaucratic delays affect agriculture?
Delays in regulatory approvals—such as those by the DPP—can cause a shortage of essential agricultural inputs like pesticides. This results in poor pest control, reduced yields, and financial losses for farmers. In 2025, these delays are seen as a serious threat to national food security and crop sustainability.
What role does the Ministry of National Food Security & Research play?
This ministry is responsible for ensuring food self-sufficiency, policy development, and agricultural input regulation. In this case, it oversees the DPP and is expected to respond to industry concerns like those raised by the PCPA in 2025 to prevent disruptions in the farming supply chain.
Why is timely pesticide supply critical in mid-2025?
July is a peak period for managing pests in cotton and rice fields. A disruption in pesticide availability due to bureaucratic delays at DPP can cause large-scale crop losses. With climate stress and high input costs already challenging farmers in 2025, timely access to crop protection products is more critical than ever.
