Role of Agrochemicals in increasing Food production.

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Dr. Samir P DaveDirector - Aimco Pesticides LimitedChairman Technical committee - PMFAI

Why Agrochemicals ?

1. India’s Current population is 1.2 billion, will reach 1.4 billion

by 2025.

2. Per capita income likely to move from Rs 54,000 to Rs.

1,80,000.

3. Even today Millions of People are under mal nutrition limits.

4. Current production of food grains is 220 mil. tons the demand

will go to 300 mil. tons by 2025, requiring increase of 5.4 mil.

tons per year

5. Indians spends upto 50% of their income on Food as compare

to 30% in China & 3% in USA.2

Why Agrochemicals ?

6. Decreasing Arable Land from 166 Mio Ha to 158 Mio Ha

in last 50 years.

7. Increase in Land use for non agricultural uses 10 % in

2005.

8. Crop plants must compete with 30,000 species of weeds,

3,000 species of nematodes and 10,000 species of plant-

eating insects.

9. More Crop yield needed by growing population for Food,

Fiber & now FUEL. 3

PER CAPITA GRAIN CONSUMPTION IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES (Kg/PERSON)

The per capita consumption of food grain, presently quite low in India, may increase as the income and number of middle class are likely toincrease.

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Why Agrochemicals ?

Crop Yields (q/ha) in different countries (2000)

Why Agrochemicals ?

Our yields are less in comparison to World

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S. No. COUNTRY PADDY MAIZE WHEAT1 U.S.A. 70.37 86.03 28.202 INDIA 30.08 17.69 27.773 CHINA 62.34 46.70 37.294 PAKISTAN 30.27 15.11 24.91  Yield Gap in India PY - FY Wheat Rice      45% 110%        FAOSTAT 2008

Insects 26%

Diseases26%

Rodents & Others

15%

Weeds33%

LOSSES CAUSED BY DIFFERENT PESTS

Crop losses : US$ 19 Billion (Source : 37th report of Dept. of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Govt. of India,

The standing committee on petroleum and chemicals) 6

Why Agrochemicals ?

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10.7 10.5

6.65.8

4.5

0.480

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Kg/

ha

Taiwan Japan Holland SouthKorea

France USA India

PESTICIDES CONSUMPTION(Kg/ha) LOWEST IN THE WORLD

India uses only less than 2% world’s pesticides, whereas produces 16% of the world’s food grain 7

Why Agrochemicals ?

Agrochemicals and RISK.

• Risk is an intrinsic part of life and must be weighed

against the benefits likely to result from any particular

action.

• Toxicity is the function of dose, environment & duration

of exposure.

• Water, considered as Life, is also toxic and has LD50 of

90 g/kg (Rats).

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Way forward to Double Food Production.

1. Conservation of Soil, Water & Natural resources by use of

modern technologies.

2. Use of modern Information Technologies.

3. Availability of proper Irrigation & water conservation

technologies.

4. Use of highly target pests specific highly effective

Agrochemicals, having property of safer dissipation in the

environment more quickly & used in much lower rates.

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Way forward to Double Food Production.

5. Development and promotion of new, innovative and eco-

friendly Agrochemical formulations…… WDG, SC, EW, CS

etc..

6. Educate, Train the farmers with the knowledge and

technology needed to modern farming technologies.

7. Political and economic stability, Good infrastructure for

Storage & Transport (Rural Supply Chain).

8. Easy access to Agricultural Credit & Insurance.

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Way forward to Double Food Production.

9. Greater investments in Research & development on India

specific new Agrochemical molecules.

10. Weighted Deduction of 150% on Agrochemicals

Promotion / Extension Expenses.

11. Pesticide specific Industrial Development Zones.

12. Treatment at par with the Pharmaceutical Industry.

13. Strong Legal system to protect IP.

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Thank YouThank You

D-516 Crystal Plaza, Andheri Link Road, Andheri (W),  Mumbai 400053.IndiaEmail : pmfai@hathway.comTel: +91-22-26734845 /46Fax: +91-22-26734847Website: www.pmfai.org

Dr. Samir Dave

“Akhand Jyoti”8Th Road,Santacruz – East,Mumbai – 400 055TEL: +91 22 67604000FAX: +91 22 67604060Email: spd@aimcopesticides.comWebsite: www.aimcopesticides.com

Presentation By

Pestisides Manufacturers & Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) Aimco Pesticides Ltd