At the United Nations Biodiversity Conference held in Montreal, Canada, India raised its voice against setting a global target for the reduction of pesticides in the agricultural sector, calling it unnecessary. Addressing the Convention on Biological Diversity under COP15, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that the global target for reduction of pesticides in the agriculture sector is non-essential. He said it should be left to the countries to decide. 

Yadav said that like in developing countries, agriculture sector in India is also the main source of livelihood for crores of people. Therefore the reduction of pesticides cannot be targeted. Yadav said, keeping in mind the weaker sections, it cannot be abolished. He said that biodiversity should be promoted through investment. 

Goal 7 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) includes reducing pesticide use by at least two-thirds by the year 2030 . A report released in February by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) India exposed the serious problems of pesticide use in India.

Also, this report questions the use of dangerous agricultural chemicals. The report states that pesticides are currently being used extensively in India, threatening food security and environmental pollution.