India can eradicate the menace of counterfeit pesticides sold to farmers if the National Integrated Pest Management System (IPMS) is fully implemented, Subhash Chand, Secretary (CIB&RC), Ministry of Agriculture, said at a national conference on AI and agriculture.

Speaking at the National Conference on ‘AI for Agriculture Transformation’, organised by CropLife India in New Delhi, Chand said the National IPMS database enables track-and-trace mechanisms to ensure the authenticity of crop protection products through an established dealer network.

He also called on the crop protection industry to jointly develop an AI-based tool or app that can help farmers identify pests and make informed decisions on the right pesticide, at the right time and in the right dose.

Chand said technology could play a critical role in strengthening scientific and responsible crop protection practices at the farm level.

The conference, held on September 17, brought together policymakers, crop protection companies and technology firms to discuss how AI and other emerging technologies could reshape agriculture.

CropLife India, an industry body representing 17 R&D-driven companies in the crop protection sector, also hosted a CEO panel on the industry's outlook for 2035.

Ankur Aggarwal, Executive Chairman & MD of Crystal Crop Protection, mentioned that the industry will witness more proximate innovations, beyond discovery for each mode of action. He further shared that robotics could also play a major role in the future.

Gyanendra Shukla, MD & CEO of Rallis India, shared that digital channels would become quite important, impact margins. He further said that AI can define the next phase of growth for the industry.

Mohan Babu, COO, Bayer CropScience, shared that the industry would shift to an integrated approach, beyond just chemicals or biologicals solutions, involving technology like AI, enhanced seeds and gene editing.

Giridhar Ranuva, Business Director at BASF Agricultural Solutions, highlighted the role climate change will play, with outcome-based agriculture gaining significance.

Rahul Dhanuka, MD of Dhanuka Agritech, mentioned that solutions that India builds, including AI-based applications, will democratise mechanisation and rest of the world will draw from India’s experiences.

Report flags mounting pressure on Indian agriculture

CropLife India, in partnership with Yes Bank, also unveiled a report titled ‘Innovation in Crop Protection Sector’ at the conference.

The report highlights that India’s net sown area will shrink by 10% by 2050 due to conversion of land for urban uses. It also estimates that the country today loses Rs. 2 lakh crores worth of crop yield annually due to pests and diseases, with climate change expected to intensify these pressures.

The report calls for higher per-hectare yields, including through measures to arrest crop losses caused by pests and diseases.

It also recommends reforms including greater digitalisation, stronger farmer extension services and promotion of domestic R&D through incentives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Other recommendations include a One Nation One Licence valid across states and a five-year Regulatory Data Protection (RDP) incentive to encourage the entry of newer crop protection solutions in the country.

AI moves from the lab to the farm

Technology leaders at the conference showcased emerging applications designed to bring AI, satellite imagery, drones and advanced analytics closer to farmers.

Amit Singhee, Director at IBM Research India, shared how Privthi, the company’s foundational AI model, is enabling farmers to map crops through satellite imagery, assisting in areas like crop insurance or in estimating yields.

Sapna Nauhria, Director (Public Sector, Asia) at Microsoft, shared that the company is looking to scale its ATD Baramati project to new states, under which AI is assisting farmers, ensuring real-time pest alerts.

Rucha Nanavati, Chief of Advanced Technology at Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra shared how the company is now building an ecosystem beyond tractors, building AI powered smart advisory solutions for farmers, across the cultivation cycle.