Sustainability is the need of the hour in crop protection and agriculture sector: Agriculture Commissioner
New Delhi: Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India, Dr PK Singh, today emphasised the need for sustainability in the agriculture sector, especially in crop protection. “Sustainability is the need of the hour, and our Indian system of agriculture is based on sustainability,” he added.
Addressing the 12th edition of the ‘FICCI Crop Protection Summit’, on the theme – ‘Diversity & Inclusion in Sustainability & Crop Protection’, Dr Singh said that the starting of the green revolution saw the advent of fertilisers and agrochemicals use. “It is now going to be the new seed varieties which will help in the reduction of chemicals and fertilisers use. Varieties are the key to the success of sustainability in future,” he added.
The government, he stated, is emphasising implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems which take care of natural pest control measures. Dr Singh further stated that the government has already developed over 70,000 ‘Amrit Sarovars’ (water bodies) for use along the renovation of several ponds is underway. “By the end of December, more than 1 lakh water bodies will be ready for use. We are also bringing in other application methods of drones,” he noted.
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Speaking on the use of new technology, Dr Singh emphasised the easy adoption of the technologies by the farmers. “The ease of adoption of new technologies, particularly emerging chemistries, should be simple enough for all farmers to adopt,” he added.
Simon T Wiebusch, Chairman, FICCI Crop Protection Committee & Executive Director, Bayer Crop Science & Country Division Head – Crop Science Division- India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka said, “Sustainability in the crop protection industry starts at the manufacturing unit and stretches through the entire supply chain, including working with farmers to promote and help them adopt best practices. I laud the Indian crop protection sector for taking the lead in adopting sustainable practices, including emphasising on including a more diverse workforce, water conservation and renewable energy. It also stretches to responsible packaging and working with farmers on best crop protection practices to ensure global compliance and realise yield, contributing towards our nation’s mission of being Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
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Shashi K Singh, Partner, PwC India said that sustainability holds the key to bringing a balance between food security and environmental security.
NK Rajavelu, Co-Chair, FICCI Crop Protection Committee & CEO – Crop Protection Business, Godrej Agrovet said that the crop protection sector plays an important role in food security along with sustainable agricultural practices. The crop protection chemicals industry has the potential to implement sustainable practices and develop eco-friendly solutions.
FICCI-PwC knowledge report – ‘The role of crop protection industry in driving sustainability in the agriculture sector’, was released during the session.
Key highlights of the report
- The agriculture sector has been a driving force of the Indian economy since the country’s independence accounting for over 18 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and sustaining the livelihoods of around 42.3 per cent of the population.
- As the world’s fourth-largest crop-protection chemicals producer, the Indian crop-protection industry plays a significant role in the country’s economy by boosting agricultural production for both domestic markets as well as for export.
- The Indian crop-protection industry is the second largest exporter of crop-protection chemicals with USD 5.5 billion worth of exports in 2022
- Crop-protection chemicals are often perceived in a negative light attributed to the non-judicious use of the majority of crop-protection products. However, the industry is increasingly incorporating sustainability in their operations, and product offerings and adopting sustainable methods like integrated pest management and the development of biopesticides.
- India’s crop-protection sector is incorporating sustainability in its manufacturing, supply chain operations and product development processes.
- As the crop protection industry continues to grow, the government needs to implement measures to provide education and training to farmers on safe and sustainable agricultural practices to promote the use of crop protection chemicals.
- A collaborative approach is required by both the government and the private sector to solve the challenges of the crop protection industry to work together to develop a safe, high-yielding and sustainable agriculture sector for the country.
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