535 farmers died due to unsafe use of pesticides between January 2024-2026 in Rajasthan

Image is for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: RV Moorthy

As many as 535 farmers died from pesticide use in Rajasthan from January 2024 to January 2026, according to information provided in response to a question in the Legislative Assembly.

In a written reply to an unstarred question by Congress MLA Amin Kagzi, the agriculture department said that ₹5.10 crore assistance was provided to the families of the deceased farmers during the period under the Chief Minister’s Farmer Welfare Scheme.

The department said farmers, farm workers and others can become sick and in some cases die due to failure to take necessary precautions when spraying pesticides and due to indiscriminate and unsafe use of pesticides.

District data showed that Bikaner recorded the highest number of deaths at 57, followed by Churu (56), Hanumangarh (42), Jhalawar (42), Jodhpur (38) and Sriganganagar and Beawar with 31 deaths each.

Dholpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sirohi, Banswara, Dungarpur and Salumar reported no such deaths. Kotputli-Behror, Balotra, Jalore and Udaipur recorded one death each. Two farmers died in Karauli, three each in Khairthal-Tijara, Dausa and Jaipur, four in Bharatpur and five in Rajsamand.

The reply stated that there was no provision for compensation under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971. However, financial assistance was extended under the welfare scheme of the state government.

The assembly was also informed that 189 pesticide samples were found to be non-compliant during quality checks carried out between January 2024 and January 2026.

According to the ministry, 5,521 pesticide samples were tested during the period, of which 5,332 met the prescribed standards and 189 were declared non-compliant.

Actions against violators included issuance of 282 show cause notices, enforcement proceedings in 14 cases, suspension of 14 licenses and cancellation of 22 licenses under the provisions of the Insecticide Act and Rules.

The ministry noted that no cases of open sale of banned, substandard or spurious pesticides have been reported in the state. She informed the House that out of 189 non-conforming samples, 114 were ultimately confirmed as non-conforming. Litigation is underway to file a complaint in court against several such cases.

Reacting to the figures, the Congress MLA said the data points to the need for greater awareness and stricter monitoring of pesticide use.

“The deaths and the number of non-compliant samples reported by the government itself highlight the need for stronger field-level monitoring, training of farmers and enforcement of safety standards. Preventing such incidents should be a priority,” he said.

The ministry also informed the gathering that it is promoting organic farming through various programs and providing assistance to farmers in implementing organic farming practices.

Published – 07 Jun 2026 16:59 IST