Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI), an association of pesticides manufacturers, has urged the government to introduce a targeted and time-bound policy framework for the sector, including a ₹5,000-7,500 crore support programme for upstream manufacturing. Such a plan will help achieve self-reliance in upstream agrochemical technicals and intermediates, neutralise Chinese advantages in utility costs and promote backward integration, it said.
Releasing a knowledge paper titled “Redefining Indian Crop Protection through Innovation: From Scale to Science”, prepared by KPMG for the industry body, ACFI said that innovation in agriculture cannot succeed in isolation.
“Biotechnology, crop protection, biologicals, nanotechnology, digital technologies, improved seeds and crop nutrition must converge to create solutions that are scientifically sound, economically viable and relevant to farmers. Equally important is building and preserving farmer trust. As an Association, we remain committed to bringing together industry, academia, government and the scientific community to create an ecosystem where innovation can move from research to the field and ultimately benefit the Indian farmer,” said Kalyan Goswami, ACFI’s Director General.
