CROP CARE FEDERATION OF INDIA

Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) is one of the oldest and foremost associations. Most of the leading pesticides manufacturers and formulators are its members.

As a committed and progressive body representing the Indian agrochemical industry, CCFI has pursued its focal goal of advancing the cause of Indian farmers through better crop protection. Green Revolution in India triggered in the late 1960s, had normally tripled the food and agricultural production and productivity during the last 40 years. This led to food security at National level, significant reduction in poverty.

CCFI is a non-profit, non-commercial organization, endeavouring to build a responsible image for the agrochemical industry. Its member companies comprise basic producers and formulators, representing the complete gamut of agrochemical business.

Despite Green Revolution with over 220 million under-nourished people, India is home to about one third of world’s hungry people. Hence the main challenge the CCFI members have taken today is to help small and marginal farmers to increase their crop yields.

CCFI has a large number of members including some transnational companies who together meet almost the total requirement of agrochemicals of the country. Our member companies not only produce the latest technical agrochemicals but also supply the basic raw materials for the manufacture of agrochemicals to all the industries. We also have large number of medium and small sized companies, who have manufacturing and formulation plants with state-of-the-art technologies.

STRENGTHS

The capabilities of Indian companies in synthesizing a new molecule, is now very advanced. India is able to manufacture the latest ‘off patent’ agrochemicals of good quality at competitive prices. We have proved that our scientists and engineers are equal to the best in the world. The selling price of agrochemicals in India is among the lowest in the world.

TRAINING AND EDUCATING THE FARMERS

At CCFI, we firmly believe that if we want to provide adequate food and nutritional value to our people, then there is no alternative but to increase our agricultural production.

In order to increase the yield per acre, it is necessary to train the farmers on the use of Crop Care products, along with high breed seeds and right use of fertilizers.

Our Federation has endeavored to develop a focused training programme for the farmers and guiding them on the proper use of agrochemical inputs at the right time.

Today, a large number of farmers in India are familiarizing themselves with the latest technologies in agriculture including use of right measure of agrochemicals. This combined effect has worked wonders for the farmers and they have achieved a remarkable feat in terms of increase in yield per acre and improved quality of crops.

EXTENSION

CCFI realizes that Green Revolution seems to have run its course. During the last decade the growth has de-accelerated, the reason being non-availability of quality and cost effective inputs and fast weakening production resources. The members have taken the challenge to have private public partnership in the extension services to the Indian agriculture. Today most of the farmers’ income continues to be miserably low and the rural / urban divide has widened.

The members of CCFI have taken the challenge and taking up the extension work to see that the small and marginal farmers increase the yield of their crops and their income.

One of the topmost agendas of our Federation has been educating farmers on safe and proper use of agrochemicals. This has been an ongoing process on a large scale in many parts of the country.

The agrochemical industry also organizes schools for farmers where 50-70 farmers per batch can enroll themselves at the local village schools which are used as classrooms. On completion of the course, every farmer gets an University-endorsed certificate.

Our Federation also considers the Dealers’ Training Programme as an equally important issue as the dealers are the people who come in close contact with the farmers who seek their guidance.

CCFI delegation in meeting with Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture Mr. Sharad Pawar

A CATALYST FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

At CCFI, we act as a catalyst for the growth and development of the Indian agrochemical industry. Our Federation has undertaken a number of activities towards achieving this objective.

Having constant dialogue with Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers and solving the problems faced by the industry.

Working with Govt to solve the problem of industry as far as registration procedure for the pesticides is concerned.

Forming a committee along with scientists of Ministry of Agriculture to sort out the problems of the industry and improve the guidelines to help industry in bringing newer & better products.

Keeping regular contacts and initiating dialogues with various government organizations like ICAR, IARI, CSIR and other regulating bodies.

Organizing seminars and workshops.

Coordinating between the agrochemical industry and the government and also between the agrochemical industry and the agricultural universities.

Highlighting the benefits of agrochemicals to the government and the public at large

Participating and contributing to the policy decision- making process, concerned with the regulatory issues

Encouraging members of the agrochemical industry to conform to international standards.

Promoting agro clinics and agro service centers.

Providing reliable statistical data bank on demand and supply, crop production and other useful data of production of agrochemicals.

ENVIRONMENT

The agrochemical industry shares the concern and care for the protection of ecology and environment. The members of the agrochemical industry have the required technical skills to interact with the Central Pollution Control Boards on various issues connected with the environment.

Our Federation also focuses on the need for environmental protection and we are known for putting into practice what we firmly believe in. Many of the members of the CCFI are accredited with the ISO 9000 and quite a few leading agrochemical manufacturers have obtained the ISO 14000 Certification (awarded for environmental management standards).

Our Federation holds regular dialogues with the Ministry of Environment and with their co-operation, we actively support and implement the strict pollution and effluent norms.

EXPORTS

Today India is the most dynamic and largest generic manufacturers of agrochemicals among the South Asian countries. India, today, has about 75 technical grade pesticides manufacturers and more than 500 formulators.

Some of the pesticides, which were earlier imported in India and marketed by multinational companies, are today manufactured in India and because of quality and competitive price these products are not manufactured anywhere in Europe or USA and exported from India to all over the world.

In India we have strong manufacturing base and with our R&D scientific capabilities our production & export of pesticides is growing very fast. The combined production is valued at Rs. 9000 crores, out of which approxly. Rs. 3,500 crores accounts for exports.