Crop Care Federation of India Holds 61st AGM: Industry and Government Officials Discuss Critical Issues for Agrochemical Sector
30 September 2024, New Delhi: The 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) was held on September 27, 2024, marking a significant moment for the agrochemical industry. The event brought together CCFI members and key government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighting the importance of the discussions for the agrochemical sector.
Ms. Nirmala Parhrawal, Executive Director of CCFI, welcomed the guests and emphasized the federation’s crucial role in minimizing crop losses in the field and storage. She stated, “This champion sector must receive the support it needs to attract more investment, essential for India’s agricultural development.”
Mr. Deepak Shah, Chairman of CCFI, in his address, lauded the efforts made by various nodal ministries in easing the business environment for agrochemicals. He reiterated the industry’s commitment to enhancing productivity through indigenous innovation and research. “We are the second-largest in agricultural production, despite being the most populous country. Generics now account for 93% of pesticides, with only 7% patented, as new chemistry remains too costly for farmers,” Mr. Shah said, calling for faster registration processes to benefit the farming community.
Vice Chairman Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal highlighted India’s remarkable achievement in meeting growing food demand while maintaining buffer stocks. He pointed to the high quality of Indian agricultural produce, supported by data from the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues. “Over the past nine years, only 2.82% of samples have shown pesticide residues above the prescribed maximum residue limits (MRL), while 97.2% remain within safe limits. This is much better than countries like the USA and Europe,” he noted.
Mr. Aggarwal also called for the inclusion of the agrochemical sector in the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to boost domestic manufacturing. He underscored that manufacturing costs in India are 60-70% lower than imports, with quality meeting global standards, enabling exports to over 152 countries.
During his virtual address, Mr. R.D. Shroff, Chairman Emeritus of CCFI, urged government intervention to curb malicious propaganda against the Indian agrochemical industry, often driven by foreign-funded NGOs. He referred to legal victories against organizations like Greenpeace, which had unsuccessfully attempted to halt the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Senior Policy Advisor Mr. P. Ganesan clarified the concept of data exclusivity, which he said is often misinterpreted as data protection. “The 20-year guaranteed period sufficiently compensates inventors,” he said, while circulating a white paper that added value to the discussion.
Dr. J.C. Majumdar, Senior Scientific Advisor, addressed the technical issues plaguing the agrochemical industry and provided updates on ongoing legal cases.
A highlight of the AGM was the release of a dossier on farmer training and awareness programs, edited by Mr. Harish Mehta, Senior Advisor to CCFI. The 90-page compilation details various initiatives, including training programs conducted in 80 locations across India, with support from agricultural universities and state departments. A record-breaking 1,50,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) safety kits have been distributed free of charge, setting a benchmark for industry associations.
The event also featured the screening of a new video titled “Guardians of Agriculture: The Story of 60 Years of CCFI”. The film was well-received by the audience and highlighted the federation’s growth, innovation in introducing new molecules, and strong research and development efforts. It also dispelled myths about substandard pesticides, using data obtained through RTI requests to show that the reality is far better than the narrative pushed by vested interests.
Mr. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, IAS, Additional Secretary, praised CCFI for its extensive fieldwork and called for closer collaboration with the agrochemical fraternity to resolve pending issues.
Dr. P.K. Singh, Agricultural Commissioner, stressed the importance of developing and adhering to guidelines for post-harvest intervals (PHI) across different crop segments. He also encouraged CCFI to compile success stories of its members’ work with farmers to foster credibility and positive perception among scientists, bureaucrats, and consumers.
Dr. Archana Sinha, Secretary of the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC), assured the industry that registration processes would be expedited and urged applicants to submit complete documentation to facilitate faster approvals.
Dr. Vandana Tripathy, Project Coordinator of the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues, announced plans to increase sample testing for residues in food grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and spices, aiming to further build consumer confidence.
Kisan leader Dr. Krishan Bir Chaudhary concluded the meeting by advocating for policies that support both the agrochemical industry and the farming community.
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