National Conclave on ‘Readiness of Agri Input Industry for Ensuring Food Security By 2047’: Key Insights

Manoj Ahuja (IAS), Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India MoA and FW underscored the importance of adapting to evolving times and technology while speaking at PHDCCI's conclave on “Readiness of Agri Input Industry for Ensuring Food Security by 2047,” held on February 26, 2024, at PHD House, New Delhi. He emphasized the significance of meeting farmers' requirements for knowledge and assurance regarding seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, as well as the collective responsibility of ensuring quality standards with support from both industry and the government.

Moreover, he discussed the importance of decreasing chemical pesticide usage and enhancing agricultural resilience to climate change. He also promoted the utilization of global connections in land practices while customizing solutions to local needs, aiming to empower farmers with superior knowledge and practices to improve their global competitiveness. He also highlighted transparency and technological assistance as crucial elements.

Regarding government initiatives such as the SATHI initiative, Ahuja outlined efforts to introduce traceability in seed inputs to enhance transparency without imposing cumbersome protocols. He urged industry stakeholders to empower farmers by disseminating product information through QR codes and similar means, promoting informed decision-making. Additionally, he proposed establishing a code of ethics for the seed and pesticide sector to uphold prescribed standards.

Ahuja also spoke about the importance of a decentralized infrastructure to ensure quality assurance, advocating for platforms like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Samridhi Kendra and NABL-accredited private sector labs. Recognizing the necessity of educating farmers on efficient pesticide utilization, he highlighted efforts to make international molecules and markets accessible to them.

Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi (IAS), Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Managing Director, Small Farmers AgriBusiness Consortium (SFAC) in the address shared the significant demand within the formal agricultural input sector, particularly in seed supply chains where private companies play a vital role. However, she noted challenges in seed distribution, stressing the importance of licensing and formal distribution channels to ensure accessibility, particularly in remote villages.

Dr. Dwivedi emphasized the need for processing and manufacturing facilities to minimize seed losses. She called for a revaluation of existing farmer collectives' networks to enhance the provision of agricultural inputs in rural areas. She also further highlighted the urgency for formal companies to aggressively target underserved areas to prevent the emergence of informal players. She cautioned against the risks associated with informal market penetration, citing examples where pesticide and insecticide distribution faced challenges in specific regions.

Minhaj Alam, IAS, Additional Secretary, MOFPI, Government of India while talking about food security, challenges, and opportunities, said our journey towards ensuring food security by 2047 demands selective action across the agriculture industry. We need to incentivize agriculture to ensure farmers continue farming and overcome the challenges they face. By addressing challenges, seizing opportunities, and fostering social cooperation, we can pave the way for a resilient and sustainable food system that meets the needs of each generation. 

Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Executive Director, PHDCCI, discussed the critical importance of government and policymaker support for agriculture and farmers, particularly in ensuring food security for both India and the global community. He commended the government's responsive policies and schemes during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly aided in this Initiative.

Dr. Mehta also proposed a comprehensive approach to enhancing agricultural productivity, encompassing innovation in agricultural technologies, the development of resilient infrastructure to confront challenges, adaptation to climate change, leveraging digitization and data analytics, and fostering global collaboration through supportive policies. He encouraged stakeholders from the industry to contribute additional suggestions which PHDCCI will send to the government to further strengthen the agricultural sector's support from the Indian government.

NK Aggarwal, Chair, Agribusiness Committee, PHDCCI emphasized the necessity for collaboration among various segments of society, including farmers, industries, and policymakers, to achieve common agricultural goals. He underscored the significance of crop protection, farm mechanization, and farmer education, noting the critical need for improved awareness about micronutrient management to enhance crop quality and overall agricultural productivity. Addressing specific challenges such as black thrips and black fungus, he advocated for concerted efforts between the government and industry to tackle such issues. Aggarwal reaffirmed India's commitment to prioritizing agriculture and the welfare of its farmers, projecting that by 2047, India would be capable of providing high-quality food and ensuring food safety on a global scale.

Vijay Sardana, Technolegal Expert, Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Chairman, Kisan Vigyan Foundation (KAKV) in his address highlighted two recent developments. Firstly, he discussed the latest European grain deal, which mandates a significant reduction of 50% in chemical pesticide usage, emphasizing its regulatory impact. Secondly, he addressed the Artificial Intelligence Act of the European Union. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing resilience to these emerging challenges, signaling the need for proactive measures to adapt and respond effectively.

Dr. K. C. Ravi, Chairman, CropLife India, addressed the remarkable achievement of food grain protection, reaching a historic high of 330 million tons. He emphasized the substantial contribution of the input industry to this and highlighted the government's strategic recognition of the agriculture agrochemical sector as a champion sector. Dr. Ravi stressed on urgent need to augment productivity per unit of input. Furthermore, he elaborated on the opportunities and challenges facing the crop protection industry, emphasizing the development of crop medicines to combat losses from pests and insects, the growth in export opportunities, significant industry investment in technology development post-research and development, and the comparative analysis of pesticide consumption, indicating room for improvement in India compared to other countries like China, Japan, and Brazil.

Vineet Nahata, Chair, Co-operative Task Force, PHDCCI highlighted the pivotal role of cooperatives in reshaping the agricultural landscape of our nation. Agriculture is the bedrock of our country and thrives on collaboration and collective endeavour, mirroring the ethos embodied by cooperatives. These entities, exemplified by IFFCO, KRIBHCO & AMUL, stand as pillars in our rural communities, uplifting farmers and driving rural economies forward. He also touched upon the government's vision of "Sahakar se Samridhi". Further, he mentioned that this move by the government aligns with efforts to rejuvenate the cooperative sector and empower small and marginal farmers by leveraging modern technology and streamlined processes.

The conclave was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium.

The Event was sponsored by Crystal Crop Protection Ltd, Bayer Semilis, Best Agro Life, Willowood, Verdesian Life Science, Tessenderlo Kerley and Supported by Fertlisers Association  of India(FAI), Agri Chem Federation of India(ACFI) , Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India(PMFAI), Crop Life India Ltd. Federation  of Seed Industry of India(FSII), Biological Agri Solution Association  of India (BASAI),Crop Care Federation  of India (CCFI) Kisan Vigyan Foundation ( KAKV) was capacity building partner for the conclave and Agri Business Development Coperative ( ABDC ) was the Co-Operative partner for the conclave, and was supported by PHDCCI annual sponsors, DLF Ltd; Jindal Steel & Power; KLJ Group; Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Marble City; MMG Group; Radico Khaitan Ltd;  Uflex Ltd; Vestige; Eazy ERP Technologies; JK Tyre & Industries Ltd; Sagar Group of Industries; Superior Industries Limited; Samsung India Electronics; Oswal Greentech; Apeejay Stya Group; Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd; DCM ram;  R E Rogers; Trident Group; Ajit Industries Pvt Ltd;  Bhagwati Plastic and Pipes Industries; Central Coalfields Ltd; DD Pharmaceutical Ltd.; Hindware Sanitary; Jindal Steel;  Modern Automobiles;  P S BEDI & Co.

The Kisan-Vigyan Foundation (KAKV) has announced the release of two whitepapers titled "Will India Achieve Food Security by 2047" and "India's Journey towards Self-Sufficiency in Pulses." These papers were unveiled by Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, during the National Agri Input Conclave held on Monday, February 26, 2024. The conclave, organized under the theme "Readiness of Agri Input Industry for Ensuring Food Security by 2047" by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, served as an ideal platform for the release.

The whitepapers shed light on the challenges hindering India's path to achieving food security by 2047 and propose strategies to overcome them. They underscore the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and industry to ensure a food-secure future for the nation.

Addressing the audience, Manoj Ahuja stated, "While cereals have seen a yield gain of over 300 percent since the 1950s, the same progress has not been observed in pulses and oilseeds. The government is keen on encouraging greater private sector involvement and fostering a conducive policy environment to address this disparity. Farmers prioritize crops based on economic viability, and until they witness comparable yields and financial benefits in pulses and oilseeds, diversification may be limited. Research and technology will play pivotal roles in bridging this gap. Additionally, maize is emerging as a significant area of focus in the agriculture sector, particularly with the introduction of policies promoting ethanol blending."