What's Happening?
The Biological Agri Solutions Association of India (BASAI) hosted the BASAI 2025 conference in New Delhi, focusing on the role of biological inputs in sustainable agriculture. The event highlighted concerns over the quality and counterfeiting of biostimulants, with the Ministry of Agriculture emphasizing the need for a robust regulatory framework. The biologicals sector in India is experiencing significant growth, with the biostimulants market projected to nearly triple by 2032. Key figures such as Mr. P.K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, and Sandeepa Kanitkar, President of BASAI, discussed the importance of regulations and industry collaboration to improve productivity and build trust among farmers.
Why It's Important?
The development of a strong regulatory framework for biologicals is crucial for ensuring product quality and safety, which can significantly impact agricultural productivity and profitability. As the biologicals sector grows, it presents opportunities for India to become a global leader in sustainable agriculture practices. The focus on integrated pest management and collaboration with chemical companies aims to enhance fertilizer efficiency and address pesticide resistance, which are vital for maintaining soil health and food safety. The conference underscores the need for direct farmer engagement to build confidence in biological products, which is essential for the sector's long-term success.
What's Next?
The BASAI conference emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the private sector and government agencies to align biological use with export standards. This includes working with APEDA to reduce international market rejections due to Maximum Residue Levels breaches. The industry is expected to focus on direct farmer engagement through field demonstrations and awareness campaigns to reinforce trust in biologicals. BASAI plans to support its members in operating efficiently while building farmer confidence in biological products, ensuring the sector's sustainable growth.
Beyond the Headlines
The conference highlighted the ethical and environmental dimensions of biologicals in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices for soil health and food safety. The collaboration between BASAI and chemical companies aims to deploy innovative carbon sequestration technologies to restore depleted soils, which could have long-term benefits for environmental protection. The focus on reducing chemical loads on crops aligns with global trends towards more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
