The article discusses the role of pesticides in food security and agricultural productivity. It highlights that the global population is expected to grow significantly, increasing the demand for food production. However, the availability of additional agricultural land is limited, and any expansion would likely come at the expense of forests and natural habitats. Therefore, it is necessary to increase food production on less land, using less water, energy, fertiliser, and pesticide. The reduction of current yield losses caused by pests is a major challenge to agricultural production. The review presents worldwide crop losses due to pests, estimates of pesticide-related productivity, and the costs and benefits of pesticide use. It also discusses approaches to reduce yield losses by chemical, biological, and recombinant methods of pest control and the challenges of the crop-protection industry. The general public has a critical function in determining the future role of pesticides in agriculture. However, as long as there is a demand for pesticide-based solutions to pest control problems and food security concerns, the externality problems associated with the human and environmental health effects of pesticides need also to be addressed. The article also discusses the challenges of the global pesticide market, including the need for sustainable production, the role of biopesticides, and the importance of integrated pest management (IPM). It concludes that the future of agriculture depends on the development of sustainable practices that balance productivity with environmental and social considerations.The article discusses the role of pesticides in food security and agricultural productivity. It highlights that the global population is expected to grow significantly, increasing the demand for food production. However, the availability of additional agricultural land is limited, and any expansion would likely come at the expense of forests and natural habitats. Therefore, it is necessary to increase food production on less land, using less water, energy, fertiliser, and pesticide. The reduction of current yield losses caused by pests is a major challenge to agricultural production. The review presents worldwide crop losses due to pests, estimates of pesticide-related productivity, and the costs and benefits of pesticide use. It also discusses approaches to reduce yield losses by chemical, biological, and recombinant methods of pest control and the challenges of the crop-protection industry. The general public has a critical function in determining the future role of pesticides in agriculture. However, as long as there is a demand for pesticide-based solutions to pest control problems and food security concerns, the externality problems associated with the human and environmental health effects of pesticides need also to be addressed. The article also discusses the challenges of the global pesticide market, including the need for sustainable production, the role of biopesticides, and the importance of integrated pest management (IPM). It concludes that the future of agriculture depends on the development of sustainable practices that balance productivity with environmental and social considerations.