The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC), has adopted the policy for “mandatory registration of Technical Grade Pesticides in India” prior to granting registrations for Pesticides Formulations. The decision was taken in response of the appeal by the Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulators Association of India (PMFAI).

On behalf of Indian Pesticide industry, PMFAI has consistently been urging to the Government to adopt policy for Mandatory registration of Technical Grade Pesticides in India prior to granting registrations for Formulations (import or indigenous manufacture) since 2011.

“Granting registrations for Import of Readymade Pesticide Formulations without registration of Technical Grade Products in India, led to monopolies and exploitation of Farmers by importers. Moreover, all major agricultural nations including USA, Europe, Australia, Brazil, China etc also mandates compulsory registration of technical grade pesticide before granting of formulation registration,” a release signed by Pradip Dave, President, PMFAI, said.

Finally, in response to PMFAI continuous appeal, the Registration Committee in its 443^rd meeting held on 22.12.2022, took decision to adopt policy for “mandatory registration of Technical Grade Pesticides in India”. The Registration Committee also took decision to amend registration guidelines by deleting “the applicant of FI-WRT (Formulation Import without registering Technical) are encouraged to seek registration for Technical” and replace as “the registration Technical Grade material is mandatorily required”, the release added.

According to the PMFAI, the decision of Government will help boosting the vision of “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar” agrochemical sector. The decision will help establishing more new manufacturing plants in India to manufacture Technical Grade Pesticides (active ingredients) and Formulation products, resultantly exports from the country will be increased while help creating more employment opportunities for Indian citizen, the release added.

The bad policy introduced in 2006 of allowing registrations for imports of readymade pesticides formulations without registering the Technical Grade Pesticides in the country has impacted growth of the Indian agrochemical sector during last more than 16 years, PMFAI had said earlier. 

PMFAI is national association representing agrochemical/pesticide industry in India, with about 221 large, medium and small-scale industries as our members.