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With the grant-in-aid from CFCL over a period of 5 years, TERI will carry out end-to-end research, and products will be jointly developed to provide biological solutions as a complement to chemical agri-inputs.

Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (CFCL) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) signed an Agreement for research today, to establish the “CFCL-TERI Centre of Excellence for Advanced and Sustainable Agriculture Solutions.” The Agreement was signed by Abhay Baijal, Managing Director, CFCL and Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI.

The Agreement for Research focuses on advancing biogenic innovations to develop efficacious and eco-safe products for crop nutrition and crop protection in order to achieve sustainability in agriculture. With the grant-in-aid from CFCL over a period of 5 years, TERI will carry out end-to-end research, and products will be jointly developed to provide biological solutions as a complement to chemical agri-inputs.

The joint initiative of CFCL and TERI aims to address the pressing challenges in the Indian agriculture sector, such as stagnating agricultural productivity, soil health degradation, poor nutrient use efficiency, reduced response (resistance) to chemicals and negative impact of excessive synthetic inputs on environment and human health, by developing innovative biogenic solutions, such as nano biotechnology based alternative fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, bio-stimulants, and biological control agents and biopesticides which would have no negative impact on environment and human health and provide improved benefit to cost ratio to farmers.

Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, emphasized the significance of this initiative, saying, “The ever-increasing population poses food-security challenges, and by 2050 the world needs to increase food production by 70 percent. Traditional chemicals alone cannot increase food production and protect crops from pathogens. The Indian Government under the PM PRANAAM scheme is continuously promoting alternative fertilisers and biogenic agri-inputs. TERI is one of the pioneers in this arena, and in collaboration with robust industry partners like CFCL, holds the potential to bring cutting-edge biological solutions to the market to address multiple issues related to food security, human health, and impact on environment and climate.”

Abhay Baijal, Managing Director, CFCL, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “The success of Uttam Superrhiza and encouraging response of Uttam Pranaam Bio-Phosphorous led us to establish this joint Centre of Excellence (CoE) to promote sustainability through bio-based agricultural solutions in India. This initiative strengthens our long-term partnership with TERI to develop sustainable agriculture bio-solutions that benefit both agriculture and the environment. The Centre of Excellence aligns closely with the Government of India’s BioE3 initiative which aims to promote bio-manufacturing industries. By leveraging TERI’s research capabilities and CFCL’s market expertise, it aims to create innovative, eco-friendly agricultural solutions that enhance soil and environmental health, address climate resilience, and support food security.”

With the grant-in-aid from CFCL over a

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, India

Rashtriya Kisan Progressive Association took strong exception to certain associations pegging the level of sub-standard and spurious pesticides at just 2 per cent of the overall pesticides market of the country

Rashtriya Kisan Progressive Association (RKPA), a pan-India association that works for the welfare and progress of farmers across the country accused certain associations and vested interests of working against the interest of farmers and condemned it for presenting misleading facts in the public domain.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Binod Anand, National President, of Rashtriya Kisan Progressive Association took strong exception to certain associations pegging the level of sub-standard and spurious pesticides at just 2 per cent of the overall pesticides market of the country.

“India’s agricultural productivity has increased by more than 6 times since 1950, a remarkable achievement indeed. But unfortunately, per acre yield is way below in comparison to many developed and developing nations. Despite having 30 per cent more arable land and 67 per cent more rainfall than China, India’s agriculture GDP is about one-third of China’s. One major contributor to lower yields is the widespread use of low-quality inputs including agrochemicals. Yet, some vested interest dares to put the level of sub-standard products at 2 per cent of the overall Indian market. This is nothing but misleading and cheating of farmers,” said Binod Anand.

“The counterfeit pesticides market is a parallel industry as evident from various FIRs which have been registered against the culprits by reputed companies. It is adversely impacting farmers’ livelihoods, yield, crop quality, income, and the Indian economy on a broader aspect,” Anand added.


Citing the example of the huge damage to 9 lakh acres of chilli crops in South India in 2021, he said, “The damage was mainly due to usage of sub-standard pesticides in the sub-lethal dose. The ultimate sufferers were farmers and consumers. Strict action is a must against such culprits, but unfortunately, vested interests are strengthening such elements by presenting a misleading picture.”

“Few of these so-called Bio-pesticides/ Bio-stimulants were the cocktails of 10-12 chemical pesticides and some of them are not even registered in India which also indicates the possibility of smuggling of such chemicals from foreign countries,” he said.

Rashtriya Kisan Progressive Association took strong exception