An Appraisal of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Pesticides and Suggestions on Policy Options for their Sustainable Use

The strengths and weaknesses of pesticides have been appraised briefly and policy options to overcome the weaknesses enumerated under the gambit of official definition of the term ‘pesticide’. The information has been classified and presented under the key heads: inherent toxicity, improved utility of limited molecules, protection of useful forms of life, biopesticides, formulation, handling, storage, transportation, regulatory aspects, quality, environmental interactions, consumer awareness, disposal, decontamination, technology, trade and commerce, intellectual property, documentation and database, infrastructure, human resource development and utilization, etc.