Requirements for Pesticide Usage in Farms

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What are agricultural pesticides?

Agricultural pesticides are pesticides used for the cultivation of plants. These include:

synthetic chemical and biological pesticides
plant growth regulators
pesticide-containing biostimulants, fertilisers, and soil conditioners

Pesticides for non-agricultural purposes (e.g. industrial, landscaping, or household uses) are not regulated by SFA and do not need to be registered with SFA.

Who must follow the usage requirements for agricultural pesticides?

All farm licensees are required to comply with the usage requirements. It is the responsibility of farm licensees to ensure their farm’s produce is safe for human consumption.

Why are there usage requirements for agricultural pesticides?

To ensure that pesticide usage in local food production does not compromise food safety, SFA regulates the use of agricultural pesticides in food crop production (e.g. fruits, vegetables) intended for supply (including sale) for human consumption, at three levels:

Pesticide level: Agricultural pesticides for use on food crops must be registered with SFA.
Pesticide operator level: Only SFA-certified pesticide operators who have completed the training prescribed by SFA, may apply or supervise the application of pesticides to food crops.
Farm level: SFA licenses food crop farms. Farm operators are to ensure that they comply with (1) and (2). SFA carries out food safety testing on food crops cultivated at these farms for sale and consumption, to ensure that they meet food safety requirements.

What are the pesticide usage requirements?

The requirements are listed below. Any farms using pesticides, even for ad hoc purposes, must comply with these requirements.

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1. Use only registered agricultural pesticides

Only agricultural pesticides registered with SFA for use on food crops can be used in the cultivation of plants intended for sale as food in Singapore.

SFA carefully evaluates agricultural pesticides to ensure compliance with SFA's requirements before allowing them to be registered for use. SFA does not endorse any brand or type of pesticide.

Use only registered agricultural pesticides on your farm. They must bear the SFA/AVA/PPD

Registration Number on the product label.

To find registered pesticides, use the Pesticides Search tool.

2. Never use or store non-agricultural pesticides on your farm

Pesticides marketed for domestic use, e.g. home gardens, which do not bear an SFA/AVA/PPD Registration Number, are not allowed to be used on the farm.

Some farmers mistakenly believe that household or organic pesticides are less toxic or less harmful and can be used on farms. Non-agricultural pesticides must never be used. Only registered agricultural pesticides can be used.

It is an offence to use or store non-SFA/AVA/PPD-registered pesticides on local agricultural farms.

3. Pesticides must be applied by certified pesticide operators

The application of pesticides on the farm can only be conducted by or under the supervision of an SFA-certified pesticide operator.

Certified pesticide operators are trained to apply agricultural pesticides correctly and safely. This is to ensure that pesticides are applied responsibly, and that the safety of the farm produce, workers’ health, the workplace, and the environment are safeguarded.

Some farmers mistakenly believe that they can apply pesticides without engaging certified pesticide operators. You should always engage an SFA-certified pesticide operator.

You can refer to the list of SFA-certified pesticide operators.

4. Always ensure pesticide residue is within limits

Where pesticides are used on the farm, their residue on the produce should be within the limits stipulated in rule 20(1)(f)(ii) of the Control of Plants (Cultivation of Plants) (Licensing and Certification) Rules.

This requirement may be met by adhering to dosage instructions and the pre-harvest interval (the wait time between a pesticide application and when a crop can be harvested) as stated on the product label of registered products.

The SFA-certified pesticide operator is required to follow the instructions on the product’s label when applying pesticides.

5. Keep records of pesticide use

Pesticide-use records must be maintained for each application of pesticide (for both routine operations and ad hoc/once-off applications).

The records must include:

name of the farm
certified pesticide operator
name of pesticide
pesticide registration number
pesticide supplier and date of purchase

After each application, record the:

the date and quantity used
balance quantities
name of the applicator

The SFA-certified pesticide operator must sign the record after each application.

Ensure you keep proper records. These records are subject to checks by SFA.

6. Dispose of unused pesticides and empty pesticide receptacles safely

Unused pesticides or empty pesticide receptacles must be disposed of through a chemical disposal company licensed by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

A letter/certificate from the disposal company is required to acknowledge the receipt and disposal of the pesticide. This letter/certificate may be checked by SFA during inspections.

For the list of licensed chemical disposal companies, visit NEA’s website.

7. The requirements apply also to pesticide-free or chemical-free farms

An increasing number of farms are adopting pesticide-free or chemical-free cultivation of vegetables and food crops.

When such farms apply pesticides on an ad hoc basis or one-off, they must still follow the requirements above.

How does SFA enforce the requirements?

SFA ensures compliance through the surveillance regime and will take action against any infringements.

For more information
Farm licensees can contact their Account Manager. You can also contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.

Last Updated 09 September 2026

Pesticide Registration