Speaking at 11th Agrochemicals Conference 2022 organized by FICCI, Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India urged the industry to focus on organic pesticides as this will take time to adopt to mitigate the side effects of pesticides currently used and also promote manufacturing these organic pesticides in India as well.

"With a rising population, it is important to focus on food security along with ensuring farmers produce at lower cost and safeguarding the environment," commented Khuba.  

"It is not only the commitment but conviction of the government to work towards doubling farmers' income. It is our responsibility to adopt low-cost agrochemicals along with innovations to improve the agriculture sector. We need to also focus on organic fertilizers," added Khuba. 

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said, "The private sector should also join hands with the government to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides in farming.

"The central government is working on several schemes. At the same time, the government wants farmers to use technology to shift to remunerative crops. Work is also being done to ensure uniformity and quality in the production of crops,” commented Tomar.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras are proving helpful for the farmers and called upon the industry bodies like FICCI to work together for agricultural development added Tomar.

Vijay Sampla, Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Government of India said, "There is a need for the research and development to be communicated to the small and marginal farmers in their language. He also emphasized on the need to create more awareness on the use of pesticides to benefit the agriculture sector."

R. G. Agarwal, Chairman, FICCI Crop Protection Committee & Chairman, Dhanuka Group said, "We urge the government to reduce GST rates on pesticides and bring it at 5 per cent like fertilizers so as to benefit small and marginal farmers as well. The government should also provide PLI to the pesticides industry to develop the domestic industry as an international manufacturing hub."

A knowledge paper on 'Policy landscape for a flourishing agrochemicals industry' was jointly released by FICCI and PwC.