04 February 2025, New Delhi: CropLife India, an association of 17 R&D driven crop science companies, wholeheartedly welcomes the Union Budget 2025-26 and commends the Government for placing a strong emphasis on enhancing agricultural productivity while ensuring sustainability. The introduction of the PM Dhandhanya Krisihi Yojna for farmers is a significant step, as it will target 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average agricultural parameters, providing much-needed support to improve farm productivity and strengthen the rural economy.
Mr. Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman – CropLife India and Managing Director of Crystal Crop Protection Ltd., shared, “The precise focus on enhancing productivity in the Union Budget 2025-26 is expected to foster significant growth in the agricultural sector, benefiting farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices. The Government’s well-defined vision to prevent migration from rural areas, coupled with the scheme that prioritizes women and youth, is a welcome and forward-thinking step. This initiative is set to drive greater adoption of modern technologies, including drones and precision agriculture, thereby providing a much-needed boost to innovation and efficiency in the sector”.
Mr. Aggarwal, emphasized, “It is heartening to witness the inclusion of productivity and resilience in agriculture as one of the key priorities of the Union Budget 2025. The crop protection industry looks forward to partnering with both the Centre and State Governments to focus on the 100 districts with low productivity. Together, we aim to enhance agricultural output, improve sustainability, and support farmers in these regions through targeted interventions and innovative solutions”.
CropLife India and its members have been urging the Government to consider the following measures:
Provide a 200% weighted deduction on R&D expenses for pesticide companies.
Retain a uniform basic customs duty of 10% for both technical raw materials and formulations.
Reduce the GST on agrochemicals from the current 18% to 12%.
Allocate Funds in Budget to Strengthen the Extension Mechanism
These measures would have directly benefited the farmers, further empowering them and enhancing the agricultural sector as a whole.
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