A central question emerged at a recent national conference hosted by CropLife India: what role do pesticides play in nourishing the world? Are they "villains," heroes, or merely scapegoats? This discussion profoundly impacts the core of India's agricultural transformation, which is crucial for achieving its national development goals.

Indian agriculture has undergone a massive transformation from food scarcity to self-sufficiency. In his inaugural address, Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, emphasized: "Once, India suffered from food shortages and import dependence; now it is self-sufficient and emerging as a major exporter—agriculture has even achieved 10% growth in recent months."

However, a severe challenge looms. India's population is projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2050, placing immense pressure on food and nutritional security. Minister Chouhan stated, "For me, farmers are the soul of the nation." He highlighted that agriculture, on which nearly half the population depends, often involves cultivating less than two acres of land. "To achieve the $5 trillion economic target, we must enhance productivity per hectare, embrace cutting-edge technology, and translate research into effective solutions for farmers' real problems."

A key focus of the conference was the gap between the crop protection industry and public perception. Data shows that pesticide use in India is far below the global average. Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman of CropLife India and Managing Director of Crystal Crop Protection, revealed a surprising figure: "India's pesticide use per hectare is only 400 grams, compared to a global average of 8,000 grams. This fully demonstrates the efficiency of Indian farmers, not excessive reliance."

Despite such low usage, India still loses crops worth 2 trillion rupees annually due to pests and diseases. This reality forms the core argument of the industry: crop protection products are not poisons but indispensable tools.

Susheel Kumar, Managing Director of Syngenta India, clearly stated: "Crop protection is the 'medicine' for plants—without its help, farmers would suffer severe losses." Simon Wiebusch, CEO and Managing Director of Bayer CropScience, echoed this view, saying: "Pesticides are necessities, not luxuries—farmers only use them when the benefits outweigh the costs, ensuring food security for billions."

The future path outlined by government and industry leaders is built on three pillars.

Smarter Regulatory Frameworks: Dr. Subhash Chand, Secretary of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, pointed out the critical balance needed between ease of doing business and safety guarantees (especially for the import-re-export sector). Meanwhile, Dr. P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner of India, emphasized, "Digitalization will be key for the future—from AI-powered regulatory processes to the harmonization of central and state laws."

Sustainable and Technology-Driven Innovation: The future is not limited to chemical pesticides. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), stressed the need to "balance productivity and sustainability through responsible use, strict regulation, and technology-led innovation." This includes a strong push for integrated solutions. As Subroto Geed, Managing Director of Corteva Agriscience India, stated: "Farmers need end-to-end solutions—including biologicals, established chemical products, and clear communication in their own language to build trust."

Empowering Grassroots Farmers: The final, and perhaps most crucial, pillar is on-the-ground training. T. M. Tripathi, Joint Director of Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh, said: "The bigger challenge lies in retailer incentives: they must guide farmers towards correct and judicious use." This, coupled with standardized drone applications and ensuring price transparency, is seen as central to building a fairer ecosystem.

The consensus is clear: India's ambitious goals of becoming a $5 trillion economy and a $1 trillion agricultural powerhouse are intrinsically linked to its ability to safeguard crop harvests. By reshaping the narrative around science, empowering millions of smallholder farmers, and building modern, responsive regulatory frameworks, India aims not only to achieve its own food self-sufficiency but also to set a global example in sustainable agriculture.

By deeply integrating industry upgrades with national strategy, India is actively exploring a unique development path that ensures its own food security while participating more broadly in global agricultural governance.