Scientists to develop yield-raising agro-chemicals with zero effect: FICCI

One of the main reasons for India's low yield is small agricultural landholding on which powerful tractors and other machines could not be deployed. These small lands should be aggregated and cultivated with technologically advanced machines for increasing productivity.

While delivering the inaugural address at the 5th National Conference on Agrochemicals on the theme 'Ushering in the 2nd Green Revolution-Role of Crop Protection Chemicals', organized by FICCI, Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture urged the scientific community to rise up to the challenge of developing agrochemicals that increase the yield but have no adverse impact on the environment.

Farmers, the users of agrochemicals, at present, are not adequately informed about its use and impact. Many a times, farmers without knowledge apply inappropriate amount of agrochemicals resulting in crop failure.

A report 'Ushering in the 2nd Green Revolution- Role of Crop Protection chemicals' prepared by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and TATA Strategic Management Group (TSMG) Chemical Practice's endeavor to highlight the need and importance of adopting a Second Green Revolution in the country was released.

Surjit K Chaudhary, Secretary, Department C and PC, Ministry of C and F, Government of India, said that agrochemicals play a crucial role in increasing agricultural productivity. He further said that the sector was marred with contradiction such as India uses minimum agrochemicals but is worst affected with its harmful side effects.

Similarly, India is an agrarian economy but agriculture did not make a significant contribution towards GDP. Also, India was blessed with fertile lands but still our economy was not driven by it.

Ram K Mudholkar, Chairman FICCI Crop Protection Sub Committee and Business Director, Dupont Crop Protection (South Asia), said that the world's population currently stands at 7 billion and is estimated to rise to 9.3 billion by 2050. This will require global food production to increase by 70 percent over the same time period in order to meet the increased demand.

Sharing FICCI's perspective, Vinay Mathur, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI, said that agrochemicals are recognized as an essential input for increasing agricultural production and preventing crop loss before and after harvesting. Indian agrochemical industry has contributed significantly towards increased agriculture output and improved public health.

He also invited the stakeholders of the agriculture industry to EIMA Agrimach India 2015 to be held at The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) commonly known as Pusa Institute from December 3 to 5, 2015.