Fifty-Sixth Annual General Meeting of PMFAI Conducted in Mumbai

25 November 2024, New Delhi: The Fifty-Sixth Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Industry Meet of the Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) took place on November 21, 2024, in Mumbai. The event began on a solemn note with members observing a moment of silence to honor the memory of Padma Bhushan Dr. K. H. Gharda, Founder and CMD of Gharda Chemicals Ltd., who passed away on September 30, 2024. Dr. Gharda was lauded for his remarkable contributions to the Indian chemicals and agrochemical industries as well as his philanthropic efforts toward societal upliftment.

PMFAI President Mr. Pradip Dave delivered the welcome address, reflecting on the organization’s significant contributions over the past 56 years. He highlighted PMFAI’s pivotal role in advancing Indian agriculture, the agrochemical sector, and the farming community. India has transitioned from a food-deficit nation to a self-sufficient food producer, achieving record food grain production of 332 million tons in 2023–24. India’s stature as the second-largest exporter of agrochemicals globally, with exports exceeding ₹44,000 crores in 2022–23, was also underscored.

Mr. Sunil Borkar, Director of Agriculture for Maharashtra, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of educating farmers on the safe and effective use of crop protection products. He suggested the development of a social media application to identify pests and diseases and provide appropriate crop protection recommendations. Additionally, Mr. Borkar called for industry-wide collaboration to address substandard products and streamline label claim approvals.

Dr. Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam, Director of the Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT), presented on “New Generation Agrochemical Formulations and the Role of IPFT in Development and Evaluation.” His presentation offered insights into advanced formulations and the services provided by IPFT.

During the AGM, PMFAI leaders provided updates on key initiatives from the past year. Notable topics included:

• Pesticide Management Bill (PMB) 2020: The ongoing advocacy against regulatory data protection provisions and efforts to expedite the bill’s passage in Parliament.
• Chlorpyrifos Regulation: PMFAI, with government backing, successfully secured specific exemptions under the Stockholm Convention’s Annex-A listing, ensuring continued use for five years.
• Environmental Standards: Efforts to revise stringent effluent discharge norms and align them with achievable limits for the pesticide industry.
• HS Code Classification: Progress in creating separate classifications for technical-grade pesticides and formulations to better regulate imports and support local manufacturers.
• Opposition to State-Level Bills: Resistance to Maharashtra’s proposed amendments introducing criminal liability for the agrochemical sector, which could have had significant implications for the industry.

PMFAI’s commitment to corporate social responsibility was also highlighted. In the past year, the association provided scholarships worth ₹15 lakhs to 80 students, prioritized for girls and differently-abled individuals pursuing agricultural studies. An additional ₹20 lakhs was allocated for medical assistance to farmers and those associated with the pesticide manufacturing sector. PMFAI also contributed ₹29 lakhs toward a school building for underprivileged children of tribal farmers.

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