'Rise in import of agro-chemicals despite 'Make in India' is concerning'

According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce, in the second term of the Modi government, the import of agricultural chemicals has increased by 37 percent. The import cost of agricultural chemicals has increased from Rs 9,096 crore to Rs 12,418 crore in the year 2020-21.

New Delhi: According to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce, in the second term of the Modi government, the import of agricultural chemicals has increased by 37 percent. The import cost of agricultural chemicals has increased from Rs 9,096 crore to Rs 12,418 crore in the year 2020-21. This is an increase of 37 percent over the previous years.

On the other hand, in terms of exports, the increase is marginal as compared to the imports. In the year 2020-21, the exports have increased from 23,757 crores to 26,513 crores. This increase is just 12 percent. Including the years 2019-20 and 2020-21, the growth rate of agricultural imports is 31 percent while the growth rate of exports is only 6 percent.

Regarding this issue, ETV Bharat spoke to the farmer leader and President of the Indian Farmers' Society, Krishan Bir Chaudhary. Krishan Bir Chaudhary does not consider the unexpected increase in the import of agrochemicals in India a good sign. He says that there is no need to import such large quantities. Due to the superior quality and affordable price of India's agricultural chemicals, they are in great demand in many countries today.

Farmer leader Krishan Bir Chaudhary believes that we should rely only on the agricultural chemicals that are produced in the country and their production and development should be encouraged. "Some NGOs and so-called social activists associated with their lobbies play a key role in defaming agro-chemicals made in India, and under the guise of these, the lobby of multinationals and importers profits by increasing the imports of agrochemicals," Chaudhary said.