Agri bodies, stakeholders converge at CropLife conference to rejig best practices in agriculture

Inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation during ‘Amrit Kaal’ – Role of Crop Protection”

CropLife India, one of the leading associations of domestic and multinational R&D driven crop science companies, organised a two-day national conference on the occasion of its 42 AGM, which witnessed the congregation of the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, agriculture ministers from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana and Karnataka, senior government officials, experts and industry leaders.

The theme of the conference was “Sustainable Growth of Agriculture for Self-Reliant India” and the inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation during ‘Amrit Kaal’ – Role of Crop Protection”. A special plenary session on the “Perspectives of State Governments” focussed on the achievements in agriculture in the four key states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana and Karnataka.

In his inaugural address, Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, shared that “There is utmost need to employ the latest technology for agriculture and enhance farmer awareness about the same. Drone technology can play a big role as it offers multiple benefits like spraying of agrochemicals, determination of amount of fertilisers and nutrients to be used, among others.”

Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, opined that the crop protection industry should continue to develop greener chemistries for sustainable growth. He also invited the crop protection industry to invest in Uttar Pradesh which is on a trajectory towards becoming a food basket of the country as well as the world.

Commenting on the resources required for boosting agriculture, S. Niranjan Reddy, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Telangana, said, “The biggest task of mankind is to keep the soil healthy for better human health and wellness. Water conservation is essential for agriculture and Telengana is the first state to implement Watershed program in 1983-84. Under Mission Kakatiya, 46000 water tanks and water bodies in Telangana have been restored. Due to concerted efforts, water has brought about the biggest revolution in Telangana.”

Kamal Patel, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, said, “Madhya Pradesh has been taking many key initiatives like insurance to safeguard the interests of small holder farmers and make the farmers self-reliant”. Patel also invited industry to work with the state government on stewardship and other initiatives.

B. C. Patil, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, said, “The Karnataka government has increased the reservation of students from the families of farmers in admissions to B.Sc. Agriculture, from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. The total number of reserved seats for this category of students in agriculture universities is 1230 while the total intake is 2460 in the state.”

Dr K. C. Ravi, Chairman, CropLife India, said, “There is a need for a predictable, stable and science-based policy and regulatory regime for the proper growth of the crop protection sector; which promotes innovation and new product introduction to address the current and upcoming challenges faced by farmers while paving the way with introduction of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and drones.”

CropLife India is an association of 16 R&D driven member companies in crop protection and jointly represent 70 per cent of the market and are responsible for 95 per cent of the molecules introduced in the country.

Inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation