“We are looking beyond classic crop protection”

Chemicals major BASF recently announced the setting up of a research and development centre for agrochemicals at Pune, its first in the country, at an estimated investment of Rs 64 crore. In an interview with Hrishikesh Joshi, Raman Ramachandran, chairman and managing director, BASF India, and head of BASF South Asia, shares the company’s strategy on crop protection and its new R&D centre. Edited excerpts:

 

 

The R&D centre for agrochemicals is the first of its kind in India. The centre will focus on global agriculture research on herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. It will offer tailor-made solutions to farmers. Our role is to work with farmers to protect the land they hold in trust for future generations and to meet the evolving expectations of society. The team in India will drive the development of new active ingredients, formulations and technologies. Pune is the fifth agricultural research station of BASF after Brazil, Spain, Germany and the Philippines.

 

 

The estimated Indian market for crop protection products is $1.5 billion. We see India as key to developing solutions for farmers. The opportunities for these products are manifold. Last year, BASF also announced the setting up its innovation campus in Mumbai via BASF Chemicals India, a subsidiary, with an investment of Rs 500 crore. Also, we invested at Dahej in Gujarat and the automotive catalyst site in Chennai. Plus, a fine chemical catalyst production line in Mangalore.

 

 

In China, we have introduced a product label that features an identification system developed by BASF and a local partner. This ensures farmers in China can buy genuine BASF products. We will introduce this technology in India soon.

 

 

Pune has moderate to little rainfall with mixed soil types and three cropping seasons. Field trials can be conducted up to three times a year. Also, trials on all major crops, such as corn, soya bean, rice, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Pune’s location is an added advantage.

 

 

This centre will focus on solutions that go beyond classic crop protection. It is aimed at helping farmers make better decisions and improve productivity during the entire cultivation cycle.

 

 

We are very price competitive. Our products can significantly increase yield and reduce risks and uncertainties. We have several fungicides to control diseases, herbicides to control weeds, and insecticides to control insects. Our seed treatment is effective for almost all types of crops like rice, wheat, maize, cotton, sugarcane, soya bean, tur and groundnut.

 

 

BASF has been a pioneer in this field with our Samruddhi programme which offers farmers modern crop protection products bundled with education about farming practices. Samruddhi has been audited independently by PwC and has shown a significant increase in farmers’ incomes.