Agrochemicals had enabled more than double the food production over the past century and the continued need to feed a growing global population remained the basis for the widespread application of pesticides and fertilisers. Asia alone consumed over half of all pesticides manufactured worldwide. Population growth over the 20th century was highly correlated with increased food production, many of which had relied upon pesticide use. Agriculture provided 70 % of employment in India and hence formed the prime sector of the country's economy with around one-third of agricultural output being dependent on the use of pesticides. Crop production would drastically have come down without the use of pesticides. The critical question was that liberal use of pesticides posed acute environmental and public health risks, where improper and unregulated application left soil, water and food systems contaminated. With increasing food production, there was an urgent need to minimize toxic contaminants and enhance food quality. Bio-pesticides had emerged as a promising alternative to chemical pesticides in supporting sustainable agricultural development while reducing pollution. Another growing development in India was in bio-pesticides, an effective alternative to chemical options. Organic residues for the improvement of soil health could have been another cost-effective and sustainable means of reducing pesticide pollution. However, all such measures were pointless in the absence of a clear understanding of the interplay between pesticides and soil properties further governing their fate and transport in the ecosystem.
