New Delhi: After the introduction of the Pesticides Management Bill 2020, Indian agrochemical manufacturers have been demanding Government's support for the industry. They have been raising concern over the Bill directing imposition of Rs 50 lakh fine and a jail term of up to 5 years against the company's director.
The Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) which is the largest association of Indian Agrochemicals Manufacturers recently wrote to the Union Minister of State for agriculture and farmers welfare Purushottam Rupala, reiterating the ministry not to finalize any 'impractical rules'. Talking to ETV Bharat, Harish Mehta, the Senior Advisor of CCFI and agrochemicals industry expert revealed eye-opening facts on the issues related to the industry.
Mehta pointed out facts procured through RTI while talking about the allegations that spurious insecticides are being supplied and used in agriculture on a large scale in the country ultimately affecting public health.
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"As per recent data received, out of 54,932 samples drawn from small and large manufacturing companies by State Agricultural Departments only 1,527 samples did not meet the specifications. Thus according to the accredited state laboratories in India, only 2.7% of samples drawn did not meet the standards. The figure further came down after retesting" said Harish Mehta.
"Even Union Agriculture Minister Narender Tomar informed in Loksabha in September last year that out of 3,38,182 pesticide samples only 3,971 did not meet the standards which work out to be only 1.17 %. It reflects India in a much better position as compared to the advanced countries. This year in March, Agriculture Minister categorically stated that over 20 states reported no case of sale of spurious pesticides between the year 2014 to 2020" added Mehta.
These facts give the manufacturers edge over allegations by some NGOs and also Chairman FICCI subcommittee of crop protection that 58% pesticides in the Indian markets are spurious."The Indian Institute of Agricultural Research (IARI ) and Office of the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, GOI have vehemently denied the allegations. This was just a failed attempt to malign the reputation of the Indian agrochemicals industry" said the CCFI advisor.
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The Indian agrochemicals industry which is worth ₹55000 and exports to more than 130 countries in the world has been growing at a decent pace. According to Ministry of Commerce data for Financial Year 2020-21, the Export of agrochemicals has grown from $3.4 billion to $3.6 billion with a growth rate of 6% despite the pandemic.
But during the same period, imports of agrochemicals shot up from $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion. The growth rate of imports is 31% which according to experts is a matter of concern for the Indian industry as well as country, as per sources. "Some people in this business selling pesticides to Indian farmers are not manufacturing at all. The same people spread canards about the Indian pesticides industry manufacturing up to 58% spurious pesticides. The fact is some corporates with major investment in a country like China are only keen to import readymade formulations which are evident from the figures showing a surge in imports in recent years. Besides charging exorbitant prices from Indian farmers, these are the ones hampering Government's effort in doubling farmers income," said Mehta.
Stating all the facts in their letter to the MoS agriculture, CCFI has demanded that non-essential imports of pesticides be stopped as the Indian industry is capable to deliver quality agrochemicals as they have the capability and capacity for indigenous production. India remains the second-largest producer of Agricultural Commodities in the World. CCFI has also submitted a detailed proposal to include agrochemicals under Production Linked Incentive( PLI) scheme for indigenous investments and manufacturing, according to sources.
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