What is the primary purpose of pesticides?

The primary purpose of pesticides is to control pests that threaten agriculture, human health, and the environment. Pesticides are chemical agents designed to target specific organisms that can cause harm, such as insects, weeds, fungi, and bacteria. By effectively managing these pests, pesticides help protect crops from damage, thereby ensuring agricultural productivity and food security. Additionally, they play a role in safeguarding public health by controlling vectors of diseases, such as mosquitoes that can transmit illnesses.

In agriculture, the use of pesticides also indirectly contributes to enhanced plant growth by reducing the competition and damage from pests, allowing crops to grow more robustly. However, the main focus of pesticide use is on pest control rather than promoting growth or fertility directly. Fertilization and soil enrichment are achieved through other means, such as the application of fertilizers and amendments, which are not the same as pesticide use. Thus, while enhancing growth and increasing soil fertility are important in agriculture, they are not the primary functions of pesticides.