06 January2023, Mumbai: Granting registrations for the Import of Readymade Pesticide Formulations without registration of Technical Grade Products in India led to monopolies and exploitation of farmers by importers. All major agrarian nations including the USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil, China, etc also mandate compulsory registration of technical-grade pesticides before granting formulation registration.
Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) has been appealing to the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB & RC) since 2011 to adopt the policy for Mandatory registration of Technical Grade Pesticides in India before granting registrations for Formulations (import or indigenous manufacture).
Mr. Pradip Dave, President of PMFAI said, “In response to PMFAI’s continuous appeal, the Registration Committee in its 443rd meeting held on 22nd December 2022, decided to adopt the policy for “Mandatory registration of Technical Grade Pesticides in India”. The Registration Committee also decided to amend registration guidelines by deleting “the applicant of FI-WRT (Formulation Import without registering Technical) are encouraged to seek registration for Technical” and replace as “the registration Technical Grade material is mandatorily required”.
“The decision of the Government will help boost the vision of “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in the Agrochemical sector. It will also help establish new manufacturing plants in India to manufacture Technical Grade Pesticides (active ingredients) and Formulation products, resulting in an increase in exports from India and generating employment”, mentioned Mr. Dave.
