Pesticides are tools that are designed to help farmers to safely deter or manage pests – such as insects, fungi and weeds. Along with other plant science innovations, pesticides help farmers grow crops more efficiently and sustain-ably than ever before.

There are three main types of agricultural pesticides:

Herbicides control weeds so that crops can flourish without unwanted plants competing for vital nutrients, space, water and sunlight.

Fungicides protect plants from disease-causing organisms that can spread quickly and destroy fields of crops.

Insecticides control insects that could damage crops by eating them or infecting them with diseases.

Pesticides are also used to protect public green spaces from pests. You might also use pesticides in your own home at your kitchen garden.