A new study has revealed that weed infestation is causing a massive loss of Rs 92,000 crore in crop productivity across India. The report, released on Friday during a joint conference by the Directorate of Weed Research and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), titled ‘Weed Management – Emerging Challenges & Management Strategies,’ highlights the urgent need for innovative weed management practices to mitigate these losses. The collaborative study was conducted by Dr. N.T. Yaduraju, Dr. M.R. Hegde, and Dr. A.R. Sadananda, along with the FSII, and sheds light on various strategies that could help reduce costs while enhancing agricultural productivity. 

Weed Control: A Critical Issue for Indian Farmers 

Weeds are among the most significant contributors to crop losses in India. They rank high among biotic stresses, competing with crops for essential resources such as nutrients, water, sunlight, and space, ultimately threatening agricultural productivity. According to the report, the average expenditure on weed control per acre ranges from Rs. 3,700 to Rs. 7,900 across 11 states, 30 districts, and seven major crops, based on inputs gathered from 3,200 farmers, 300 dealers, KVKs, and departmental officials. 

The findings suggest that weeds have become a growing problem, particularly as labour shortages and resource constraints continue to impact farmers across the country. With India’s population expected to reach 1.65 billion by 2050, managing weed infestations will be critical to ensuring long-term food security and sustaining agricultural productivity. 

Modern Solutions to Combat Weeds 

The study discussed various modern weed management strategies that could reduce costs by 40-60% compared to traditional methods. These include the use of herbicides, mechanized weed removal, crop rotation, cover cropping, and biological control. Experts at the conference highlighted that integrating these methods could be a game-changer for Indian farmers. 

Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General of the Natural Resource Management Division at ICAR, stressed the importance of combining private and public sector efforts to effectively tackle weed management challenges. He said, “As agricultural productivity faces increasing obstacles due to labour shortages and resource limitations, adopting modern technologies such as mechanization, herbicide-tolerant traits, and precision agriculture is essential to empower farmers.” 

Role of Technology in Weed Management 

One of the key recommendations from the report is the adoption of advanced technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and spectral imaging for weed identification. Dr. Chaudhari pointed out that drones can offer real-time data, helping farmers to identify and manage weed infestations more efficiently. “Leveraging drones and advanced imaging technologies can potentially revolutionize weed management practices,” he added. 

He also noted that it is the public sector’s responsibility to innovate and develop new weed control technologies, while industry partners should play a crucial role in scaling these solutions and making them accessible to farmers. 

Government’s Call for a Robust Weed Management Framework 

Dr. P.K. Singh, Commissioner at the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, emphasized the importance of a robust weed management framework, particularly in light of changing cropping systems such as Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR), Natural Farming, and Organic Farming. He acknowledged that weed control strategies must be versatile enough to address the challenges posed by climate change, labour shortages, and evolving agricultural practices. 

Dr. Singh highlighted that the weed management framework must integrate traditional, mechanical, chemical, and innovative approaches. “Weed management strategies need to be aligned with the broader agricultural policy to ensure optimal resource usage, reduce crop losses, and enhance productivity,” he remarked. He further emphasized that a technologically innovative, holistic, and integrated approach is the way forward for Indian agriculture. 

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