Image Source: IAS Express

New approvals signal a shift toward climate-smart, tech-driven agri-inputs—and a regulatory system finally catching up.

In a quiet but pivotal move, India’s apex pesticide regulator has advanced a new chapter in agricultural inputs. At its 464th meeting on May 30, 2025, the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) cleared 27 new crop protection products under Section 9(3) of the Insecticides Act, 1968. While this may seem like another routine docket of chemical registrations, the implications are far more strategic—signaling India’s evolving approach to crop protection in an era of climate volatility and competitive agri-tech innovation.

The newly approved products represent a diverse mix of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, ranging from technical-grade actives to co-formulated ready-to-use solutions. Leading companies including PI Industries, BASF, UPL, FMC India, Bayer CropScience, Mahindra Summit, Rallis India, and ADAMA India figure prominently among the approved applicants. This roster underscores the changing landscape of India’s Rs 60,000 crore agrochemical industry—one where advanced molecules, tailored to Indian crop systems and ecological stressors, are beginning to replace outdated chemistries.

PI Industries secured approval for Pyroxasulfone 85 per cent WG, a pre-emergent herbicide effective against Phalaris minor in wheat and problematic grasses in soybean and maize. BASF was cleared for a co-formulation of Pyraclostrobin and Tricyclazole, a fungicide combination positioned against blast disease in paddy. UPL strengthened its herbicide offerings for cotton and soybean, while Bayer and Mahindra Summit received nods for new fungicide blends. These products are engineered not only for efficacy but for ecological relevance—formulated to work under conditions of water stress, temperature fluctuations, and evolving pest resistance.

The approvals come at a time when Indian agriculture is under immense pressure to modernize. The monsoon is becoming increasingly erratic. Pest outbreaks are intensifying. Demand for safer, residue-compliant produce is rising among both domestic consumers and global buyers. The traditional approach to crop protection—dominated by high-volume, broad-spectrum generics—is rapidly losing ground. What is emerging instead is a portfolio approach: low-dose, targeted, resistance-managing formulations that work within integrated pest and weed management systems.

The fact that CIB&RC is approving more co-formulations and advanced molecules reflects a gradual but noticeable policy shift. For years, Indian regulations were criticized for being sluggish in keeping up with international trends in crop protection science. But in recent sessions, the Registration Committee has moved to fast-track applications with climate relevance, clear food safety profiles, and export potential. This is not just about regulatory efficiency—it’s about strategic alignment with India’s long-term agri-export and sustainability goals.

Government noted that several of the approved combinations are specifically designed for Indian cropping patterns and agro-climatic zones—especially in high-value crops like cotton, chilli, tomato, and grapes. This localization of chemistry is critical if India hopes to improve yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and maintain competitiveness in global agri-trade.

Yet, the path to market is not without hurdles. Although registration under Section 9(3) is a major regulatory milestone, actual product launch depends on the fixation of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) on target crops. Without timely MRL notifications and harmonization with Codex and international standards, even the most advanced molecules risk being trapped in bureaucratic limbo. Several applications were deferred during the same RC meeting and are now slated for reconsideration in the July 2025 session, underscoring the need for better regulatory coordination.

India’s crop protection landscape is not just expanding—it is maturing. The latest approvals illustrate a sector that is pivoting toward innovation, not just compliance. The old growth drivers—generic off-patents, low-margin volumes, and input subsidies—are giving way to a new model centered on value-added formulations, precision farming compatibility, and environmental stewardship.

In the race between pests and progress, India’s regulators and industry are finally beginning to run on the same track.