PMFAI-SML Annual Agchem Awards 2024: Recognizing Excellence in Agri Inputs Sector at ICSCE 2024 Dubai

The 19th Edition of the flagship event of PMFAI ‘International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE 2024 Dubai)’ took place in Dubai on 8th & 9th February 2024 at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai, UAE. The two-day event began with a warm welcome address by PMFAI President Pradip Dave on 08 February 2024 morning. ICSCE is an international trade platform for the Agrochemicals, Agri Biological and allied products industry, to develop strategic and sourcing relationships with international companies and to get updated on current trends in the Agrochemical, Agri Biological and allied industry market.

Focus on Improving the Health of Generic Pesticide Industry

ICSCE is also an annual international event organized by PMFAI to improve the health of the Generic Pesticide Industry and to bring researchers in the field of agriculture, pesticide manufacturers, agrochemical traders, agricultural biological industries and allied industries under one roof.

After the first event organised in 1997 in Mumbai, India, ICSCE has come a long way to achieve the recognition as premier Agri Inputs event connecting the world of Agrochemicals, Agri biological and Agriculture sector. In 1997 when PMFAI organised the first ICSCE, the export of Agrochemicals from India was Rs.270 crores, which now reached Rs. 45,000 crores plus. ICSCE provided opportunities for business expansion by way of joint ventures, bilateral trade, sub-contracting / contract manufacturing and distribution and networking opportunities for buyers and sellers to benefit mutually.

At the end of inaugural Session, Deepak Shah, Vice President- PMFAI & Chairman, CCFI gave a vote of thanks to all Sponsors, Exhibitors, Speakers and participants for their active participation and support of the event. 91 leading companies showcased their product portfolios during the two days of ICSCE 2024 Dubai. With over 1200 registered delegates participating and over 2500 footfalls, the event was a great success. 

Participation of Delegates from Across the World

Delegates from countries all over the world including – Argentina, Australia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guinea, Ghana, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malwai, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Turkiye, Tanzania, Tunisia, USA, UAE, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Zambia participated in the event.

The two day event hosted renowned Pesticide scientists, Biological products and industry experts, who gave presentations on various important topics, brief details of which are given below: 

• Seed and Crop Nutrition is in need of the time: R.K. Goyal, Managing Director (South Asia, South East Asia, Australia & NZ), Verdesian Life Sciences & Cytozyme Labs Inc. USA.  The presentation highlighted the importance of seed and crop nutrition to cope with the future demand for quality foods. Goyal’s presentation focused on Developing the seed coating segment as Biologicals in India for Cytozyme Seed+ product, enhancing seedling vigor and maximizing crop yield and Integrated Nutritional Management.

• Future Development of Crop Protection Market in the Middle East & Africa: Dr. Derek Oliphant, Partner, AgbioIncvestor. The presentation gave important insight into the future development of the crop protection market in the Middle East and Africa. He also talked about future market drivers and the role of changing dietary habits affecting the demand of various Agri Farming inputs.

• Harnessing Indian Manufacturing to Address Tectonic Shifts in Global Manufacturing for Synergy & Collaboration towards China Plus One policy: Jitendra Mohan, Chief Operating Officer, Willowood Chemicals Ltd. Jitendra Mohan talked about harnessing Indian manufacturing to address tectonic shifts in global manufacturing and strategy for Indian industries to take advantage of China plus one policy.

• Registration Procedure of Biologicals in India: Dr. Athreya Devanur, Executive Director, AgriLife India Pvt. Ltd. Dr. Athreya made a presentation on Registration procedures of Biologicals in India and the recent developments relating to the Bio-stimulants through Central Bio-stimulants Committee.

• Climate Smart Agriculture with the help of Biostimulants: Reza Jivani, Director, Vikas Crop Care. Jivani talked about how to overcome climate change and generate maximum yield using biostimulants as agri inputs which is a boon to the agriculture industry.

• Biological Crop Protection – Addressing Food Safety, Crop Protection & Quality:  Komal Shah Bukhanwala, Director R&D and IP, SML Limited. The presentation dealt with Biological Crop Protection. Komal Shah talked about various aspects of Biological Crop Protection.

• Status of Indian Crop Protection Industry & Global Situation: Atul Churiwal, Managing Director, Krishi Rasayan Exports Pvt. Ltd.  In his presentation, Churiwal gives the status of the Indian Crop Protection Industry and presents the global situation. He emphasized that India is in a better position to provide crop protection products globally as compared to China. Churiwal also talked about the threat from climate change which is adversely affecting grain production.

• Latest Technologies from Indian in crop/balanced nutrition: Rahul Mirchandani, President, Indian Micro-Fertilizer Manufacturers Association (IMMA) & Chairman, Aried Agro Crop Science. Mirchandani talked about the latest technologies from India in balanced crop nutrition and also emphasized the importance of chelation technology.  He also gave a brief about IMMA, an association representing Indian Micro Fertilisers Manufacturers, existing for the last 4 decades.

• Compatibility of Co-Formulants with Gram-Negative Bacteria and Fungi Strains: Jan Chrominski, Senior Technical Service and Development Specialist, Dow: In his presentation, Jan Chrominski explained developing compatibility between microorganisms and Co-Formulants and the critical challenge linked to biological formulation besides performance criteria (wetting, dispersing).

• Precision Agriculture- The Integration of AI and IoT – Cmdr. Dr. Reji Kurien Thomas: Dr. Reji Kurien in his presentation gave details on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).  This cutting-edge approach empowers farmers with data-driven insights, enabling informed decision-making for optimizing crop yields, conserving resources and curtailing environmental footprints. AI serves as the brain, analyzing copious data from IoT sensors scattered through the farming landscape – monitoring soil, moisture, crop health and meteorological patterns to facilitate real-time adjustments and predictions.

• Present and Future Scenarios of Biofertilizers – Dr. Aman Sharma, Director, Agrella Crop Science Pvt. Ltd:  Dr. Sharma deliberated extensively on the role of biofertilizers, their requirement, and the differentiation of biofertilizers from other alternatives.  He gave an insight into the Indian Bio-fertilizer market and emphasized the significant role of biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture.

The above presentations greatly helped participants in gaining knowledge about the market, trends and technologies in Global Agrochemicals; Agri biologicals and emerging trends in Agri Inputs business.  With greater participation by key players in the Global Agrochemical & Ag Bio protection product market, the participants appreciated the event.

First Edition Of PMFAI-SML Annual AGCHEM Awards 2024

Coinciding with ICSCE 2024 Dubai, the Fifth edition of ‘PMFAI-SML Annual Agchem Awards 2024’ was held on the 8^th February 2024 evening at 6.30 pm onwards at JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai, UAE. PMFAI-SML Agchem Awards was instituted in 2018 to recognize and honour outstanding achievements in Indian Agrochemical, Biological and Allied Industries and remarkable contributions, which help the Sustainable growth of Agriculture.

PMFAI - SML Annual Agchem Awards which made a remarkable beginning in 2018 with permanent sponsorship by M/s. SML Limited (formerly Sulphur Mills Limited), is one of the globally known leading Indian Agrochemical Company. 

The Awards Function was attended by over 900 persons.  The Award Committee of independent panel of judges consisting of scientists and professionals scrutinized the award applications to decide winners in different categories of awards.  Given below are Winners in different categories of awards in the Fifth PMFAI-SML Annual Agchem Awards 2024.

Categories of Awards Under PMFAI-SML Annual AGCHEM Awards 2024

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Winner- Nadir Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Industries Ltd & Godrej Agrovet Ltd. honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Indian Agrochemical Industry and valuable services rendered to promote technologies and contributing to the growth of the Indian Agrochemical Industry and Indian Agriculture.

• Export Excellence Award – Large scale: Winner- Indofil Industries Limited

• Export Excellence Award – Large scale: Runner Up- NACL Industries Limited

• Export Excellence Award – Medium scale: Winner- Crop Safe Pesticides India Pvt. Ltd.

• Export Excellence Award – Medium scale: Runner Up- Bios Crop Care Pvt. Ltd.

• Export Excellence Award – Small scale: Winner- Act Agrochem Pvt. Ltd.

• Export Excellence Award – Small scale: Runner Up- Betrust Industries Pvt. Ltd.

• Best Emerging Company Award – Medium scale: Winner- General Crop Science Pvt. Ltd.

• Best Emerging Company Award – Medium scale: Runner Up- Aristo Biotech & Lifesciences Ltd.

• Successful Company of the Era Award: Winner- Krishi Rasayan Exports Pvt. Ltd.

• Successful Company of the Era Award: Runner Up- Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection Ltd.

• Company of the Year – Large Scale: Winner- NACL Industries Limited

• Company of the Year – Large Scale: Runner Up- Hemani Industries Limited

• Outstanding Innovation Chemical Synthesis Award: Winner- Bhagiradha Chemicals & Industries Limited

• Outstanding Innovation in Crop Solutions – Large scale: Winner- Insecticides India Limited

• Outstanding Innovation in Crop Solutions – Large scale: Runner Up- GSP Crop Science Pvt. Ltd.

• Outstand Innovation in Crop Solutions - Small Scale: Winner- AgriLife (India) Private Limited

• Social Responsibility Excellence Award – Large scale: Winner- Insecticides India Limited

• Social Responsibility Excellence Award – Large scale: Runner up- Sandhya Organic Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.

• Social Responsibility Excellence Award – Medium scale: Winner- Agrella Crop Sciences Pvt. Ltd.

• Social Responsibility Excellence Award – Small scale: Winner- Gencrest Bio Products Pvt. Ltd.

• Leader of the Year Award – Agrochemicals: Winner- Parikshit Mundhra, Managing Director, Willowood Chemicals Ltd.

• Emerging Leader of the Year Award – Agrochemicals: Winner- Jayesh Dama, Director, Hemani Industries Ltd.