India Herbicide Market Overview, 2029

The herbicide market in India is essential to supporting the country’s vast and varied agricultural sector, where weed control is critical for maximizing crop productivity. Agriculture in India is a cornerstone of the economy, engaging nearly half of the population and contributing significantly to national GDP. India’s diverse climatic zones, soil types, and cropping systems create a high demand for herbicides, which support a range of crops like rice, wheat, maize, and pulses, among others. Historically, the use of herbicides in India saw substantial growth during the Green Revolution in the 1960s, when new agricultural practices aimed to boost crop yields and ensure food security. Today, herbicides are deeply integrated into Indian farming practices across various sectors, from smallholder farms to large-scale commercial operations. The government regulates herbicide usage through the Insecticides Act of 1968, which governs the manufacture, sale, and distribution of pesticides, including herbicides. Recent regulatory efforts focus on encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, especially as concerns about the environmental and health effects of chemical herbicides have risen. Initiatives promoting bio-based and organic herbicides align with India’s goals for sustainable agriculture, particularly given the increasing awareness of eco-friendly farming solutions. Furthermore, the government’s support for organic farming has grown, with states like Sikkim declaring themselves fully organic and others showing interest in adopting organic practices. India’s herbicide market reflects a balance of traditional practices and modern demands, making it a key area of focus in agricultural policy and development.

According to the research report "India Herbicide Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the India Herbicide market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.17% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. The herbicide market in India is expanding due to several critical drivers, including population growth, urbanization, and the need for improved agricultural productivity to meet rising food demands. The growing pressure on limited arable land has increased the focus on technologies and inputs that enhance yields, and herbicides are central to these efforts. Key trends shaping this market include the adoption of sustainable, bio-based herbicides, increased agricultural mechanization, and the development of herbicides with improved efficiency and safety profiles. In India, labor shortages and rising rural wages are further pushing farmers toward herbicide adoption as an alternative to manual weeding. The herbicide market is competitive, with multinational corporations such as Bayer, Syngenta, and BASF playing significant roles alongside domestic companies like UPL Limited and Rallis India. These companies invest heavily in research and development, focusing on innovative formulations that align with environmental regulations and meet farmers’ evolving needs. An important opportunity within the market is the demand for herbicides that are effective in India’s unique agro-climatic conditions, where companies can tailor products for specific crops and regions. Additionally, the market’s growth is influenced by an increased awareness of weed management’s economic benefits and herbicides’ role in reducing crop losses and enhancing productivity.

The herbicide market in India is segmented by type, primarily into synthetic and bio-based herbicides. Synthetic herbicides, made from chemical compounds, are commonly used due to their high efficacy in controlling a broad spectrum of weeds. These products are popular among Indian farmers who prioritize immediate weed control, especially for staple crops like rice and wheat. Synthetic herbicides have established themselves as reliable tools for weed management, but concerns about their environmental impact and residual toxicity are gradually leading some farmers to consider alternative solutions. This shift in perception has opened up a significant market for bio-based herbicides, which are derived from natural sources and are generally safer for the environment and non-target organisms. Bio-based herbicides are increasingly seen as viable options in India, aligning with the government’s push toward organic farming and sustainable agriculture. Farmers and consumers who are aware of the benefits of bio-based products appreciate their compatibility with eco-friendly practices, although these products often come at a higher cost and may have limitations in terms of efficacy compared to synthetic alternatives. As awareness of sustainable agriculture practices grows, the demand for bio-based herbicides is likely to expand, presenting an opportunity for companies to innovate and meet this market segment’s needs.

The herbicide market in India is further segmented by mode of action, which includes non-selective and selective herbicides, as well as by crop type, covering cereals and grains, oilseeds and pulses, fruits and vegetables, and other uses, such as lawns, forests, and aquatic vegetation. Non-selective herbicides are designed to eliminate all vegetation in the treated area, making them suitable for non-crop spaces and pre-planting weed control. These herbicides are frequently used in public spaces, industrial areas, and along transportation routes, where complete vegetation control is desired. In contrast, selective herbicides target specific weed species while sparing the crop, allowing for effective weed management without harming valuable plants. Selective herbicides are extensively used in crop fields to protect major crops, including rice, maize, and vegetables. By crop type, cereals and grains represent the largest category of herbicide use in India due to their prevalence across the country. The extensive cultivation of wheat and rice, for instance, requires efficient weed management solutions to maintain high yields, and herbicides play a crucial role in achieving this. Oilseeds, pulses, fruits, and vegetables are also significant markets for herbicides, as weed control is essential to protect quality and productivity in these high-value crops. In non-agricultural applications, herbicides are utilized for weed management in spaces such as lawns, forests, and aquatic environments, although these constitute a smaller market segment.

The herbicide market in India is well-positioned for sustained growth, supported by increased demand for efficient weed management solutions and a growing emphasis on sustainable farming practices. As the market continues to develop, it is anticipated that bio-based and eco-friendly herbicides will play an increasingly prominent role, driven by both regulatory support and consumer demand for environmentally responsible products. Companies operating in the Indian herbicide market are expected to continue investing in innovation, focusing on products that meet the diverse needs of India’s agricultural sector while complying with environmental and safety standards. The herbicide market’s growth prospects are closely tied to the advancement of Indian agriculture, which seeks to balance productivity with sustainability in response to population pressures and the global focus on reducing chemical dependency. With a growing recognition of herbicides’ value in modern agriculture, the market’s evolution reflects India’s commitment to high-yield, sustainable agricultural practices.



Considered in the report
• Base year: 2023
• Historical year: 2018
• Estimated Year: 2024
• Forecasted year: 2029

Aspects covered in the report
• Market Size by Value for the period (2018-2029F)
• Market Share by Type
• Market Share by Mode of Action

• Market Share by Region
• Market Share by Country
• Market Share by Company

By Type
• Synthetic Herbicides
• Bio-Based Herbicides

By Mode of Action
• Non-selective
• Selective

By crop Type
• Cereals & grains
• Oilseeds & pulses
• Fruits & vegetables
• Others (lawns, forests, and aquatic vegetation)

The approach of the report:
We keep an eye on evolving markets and try to evaluate the potential of the products and services. If we find the market interesting, we start working on it and create the desired table of content, considering all aspects of the business. We start by creating separate questionnaires for C-level executives, national/regional sales personnel, company owners, dealers, distributors, and end-users. Once the questionnaires have been finalized, we start collecting the primary data (mostly through phone calls) and try to understand the market dynamics regionally or tier-wise. This process gives us in-depth details of the market, including all present companies, the top-performing products with reasons why they dominate; we get the details of new players and their innovative approaches; market trends; dynamics; and all the small details of the market. After the collection of primary inputs, we then cross-check the same with secondary sources that include associations, trade journals, annual reports, paid databases, newspapers, magazines, press releases, government sources, etc. From this, we get a rough estimate of the market and start checking existing product price variants, trade, production, raw material scenarios, policies and regulatory landscape, etc.

Intended Audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Agriculture industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.