Requirements for Pesticide Usage in Farms

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.