The 18^th International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE 2023 Delhi) organized by Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) held at Hyatt Regency Gurugram on Sept. 7-8, 2023 receives great response from the industry. The event started with the welcome address by Pradip Dave, President, PMFAI.

The 2-day event witnessed participation of 68 exhibiting companies and 750+ delegates from India, Brazil, Bangladesh, Belgium, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Taiwan, USA, UAE (Dubai), Uganda, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vietnam.

Coinciding with the event, PMFAI and Vietnam Pesticide Association (VIPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the area of production and distribution of Crop Protection products, enhancing Indian and Vietnam cooperation in Agriculture and Crop Protection market and to resolve issues faced in the trade. 27 Member Trade Delegation participated in the event.

Iran Trade Delegation consisting of 16 members from Association of Pesticide Manufacturers Industry of Iran also participated in the event. PMFAI had discussion with Iran Trade Delegation members for cooperation in the area of production and distribution of crop protection products and enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

The event hosted renowned pesticide scientists and industry experts, who gave presentations on various important topics.

Ajeet Chahal, Head – Commercial Key Accounts and Alternate Business Models, Community Lead for Commercial Scale Up of Smallholder Initiatives India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, Bayer CropScience Limited addressed the auidience on ‘Fostering Sustainable Agri-business ecosystem for Climate smart resilient agriculture in India.’

Dr. Mark Trimmer, Partner, Dunham & Trimmer, US made a presentation on Biocontrols and Future Market. The presentation captured current status and future trends concerning Global Bioprotection market.

Dr. K. Srinivas, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, highlighted CSIR-IICT’s R& D efforts to indigenously develop Technologies to support Indian Agrochemical Industry. The presentation captured CSIR-IICT’s efforts in the process development and commercialization of many generic crop protection products over the years and thereby playing lead role in assisting Indian crop protection industry. Visualising the status in agrochemical sector, CSIR-IICT has identified mission mode project on process development of off-patent agrochemicals and key starting materials for Agrochemicals.

Ferry Hermawanto, Technical Service Manager, Nouryon Agriculture and Food, South Asia talked about Product Innovation for a Sustainable Future.

Dr. Sujoy Saha, Principal Scientist, Plant Pathology, ICAR – National Research Centre for Grapes (NRCG) covered points on effectively merging the use of both chemicals and bio control agents through a topic titled ‘Essence of Bio control in Indian Agriculture: Needs & Challenges’.

Manju Manjiri, Agri-Digital Tools Coordinator –South Asia, CABI South Asia, India covered ‘PlantwisePlus global programme’, through ‘Digital Interventions to promote Utilization of Safer Alternates’. She discussed about improving the income and livelidhoods of smallholder farmers by helping them apply sustainable approaches to crop production, leading safer and higher quality food in domestic markets. The PlantwisePlus toolkit brings together tried and trusted digital tools to help farmer advisors to identify websites and apps that can support decision making.

Dr. Sandeep Singh, Managing Director, Farinsys Research captured the next level market research tool for all sales and marketing professionals of Indian pesticide industry through a presentation titled Next Level Market Analysis – Unquestionable data, Unmatched Speed and pinpoint accuracy with Market Trends’.

Dr. Maousd Gilabadi, Chairman, Association of Pesticides Manufacturers Industry of Iran, talked about Iran Agchem Market and the Opportunities for Indian Agchem Industry. The presentation captured details about Iran Agrochemical market, production and imports by Iran and the suggestions to increase exports of agrochemicals from India to Iran.

Lawrence Middler, Lead Analyst in Biologicals at Agbioinvestor, UK spoke on Bio-stimulants Market Review and Future Opportunities. He gave an overview of biopesticide and biostimulants market as well as the recent drivers that are shaping the industry, including regional performance, trends within regulation, innovation as well as competing technologies.

Jitendra Mohan, COO/Director, Willowood Chemicals Ltd. shared the current status of Indian & Global Agchem Industries, Impact of Chinese Manufacturing on Indian Agchem industries and way forward.

Jan Wolfrum, Application and Product Specialist, Agrochemicals, EMEA, NETZSCH, Feinmahltechnik GmbH in Selb, Germany, spoke on Innovative material processing solutions helping create exciting products for a sustainable world.

Tomas Grassi, Senior Manager, Business Development & Innovation, Novozymes South Asia Pvt. Ltd. spoke on Biological Solutions for Crop Protection.

Drone Technology in Agriculture was discussed by S. Gabriel Vasanthakumaran, AGM and DGCA certified Drone Pilot at Lawrence & Mayo. The presentation captured the role of Drone Technology in Agriculture, in crop monitoring, precision agriculture, crop spraying, livestock monitoring, irrigation management, planting and seeding and crop damage assessment.

PMFAI Awards in recognition of individual Excellence in Agri Inputs Sector in India

Coinciding with ICSCE 2023 Delhi, PMFAI organised Special Awards to honour individuals in Indian Agri Inputs sector, in recognition of Excellence in different area of work, thereby contributing to the growth of Indian Agri Inputs sector.

The above awards function was attended by over 700 persons. Given below are names of Award recipients with their respective area of excellence.

Award for excellence as “Women Contributor in International Agrochemical Business”: Vaidehi Jhaveri, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing - Crop Protection Business, Atul Ltd.

Award for excellence as “Women Contributor in Agri Bio Business” –  Supriya Singla, Vice President, Peptech Biosciences Ltd.

Award for Excellence in Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) and Manufacturing – D.V.S. Narayana Raju, Executive Director, Deccan Fine Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Award for Excellence in Supply Chain Management of Agri Inputs Business - Diwakar Shenoy, Director – Factory Operations, Gharda Chemicals Ltd.

Award for Excellence in Sales & Marketing of Agri Inputs Business – Samir Deosthali, CEO, Spectrum Ethers Pvt. Ltd.