Agriculture is the core pillar in Indian economy that not only ensures food and nutritional security for the country, but the state of our farmers and farming sets the tone for rural demand and socio-economic development of nation at large. CropLife India welcomes and is committed to support Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India’s vision of Doubling Farmers Income by 2022. Crop Protection Industry has played a major role in ensuring food and nutritional security of the nation besides making us one of the key agricultural output countries in the world. Challenges are getting complex with invasion of new pests like Fall Army Worm, buildup of resistance, climate change and associated vagaries of weather. CropLife members are not only committed to bring latest and safer innovations but also equally committed to educate farmers on their safe and responsible use. There are many examples of this commitment, over the years:
- India is among the few countries to introduce latest innovations and greener chemistries.
- More than 40 lakh farmers have been trained in the safe and responsible use of crop protection products.
CropLife members continue to work closely with farmers, scientific community and policy makers to address current as well as future challenges. However, cost of research has gone up and it is estimated that the cost of discovery and development of a new active ingredient is around ~ 280 million USD. While CropLife member companies are committed to Innovation to the core, this also means fewer new active ingredients are coming out of research now than in the past. If Indian agriculture must flourish, be more competitive, quality driven, reducing waste as well as losses to enable our farmers to be more successful, it is absolutely essential that a progressive environment is in place that fosters innovations. CropLife India is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture and it is an association of 18 R & D driven member companies. We jointly represent ~ 70% of the market and are responsible for 95% of the molecules introduced in the country. Our member companies have annual global R &D spend of 6 billion USD and are firmly committed to engaging with the farming community to enable Safe, Secure Food Supply. While partnering in the progress of the agrarian economy of the country and towards achieving sustainable agriculture, the focus areas identified are:
- Precision Agriculture
- Responsible Use
- Policy/Regulatory Reforms
Crop Life India members would continue to be “partners in progress” with key stakeholders to the betterment of farming communities.
