30 June 2026, New Delhi: The 24th International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE Delhi 2026), organised by the PMFAI Agribusiness Foundation, concluded successfully at Hotel Pullman, New Delhi Aerocity, bringing together more than 1,500 delegates and 129 exhibiting companies from across the global agri-input value chain. The two-day conference showcased developments in crop protection, biologicals, specialty fertilizers, formulation technologies, regulatory affairs, digital agriculture and sustainable farming solutions, reaffirming its position as one of India’s largest international platforms for the agri-input industry.
PMFAI President Pradip Dave during the inaugural session.
In his inaugural address, PMFAI President Pradip Dave reflected on the conference’s evolution since its inception in 1997 and highlighted the industry’s resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties. He noted that disruptions in global shipping routes, raw material availability and petrochemical supply chains continue to challenge manufacturers. At the same time, he stressed that modern crop protection technologies remain indispensable for improving agricultural productivity, mitigating climate risks and strengthening global food security.
Industry Outlook and Technology Takeaways
The conference featured technical presentations from industry leaders, researchers and market analysts covering commercial, regulatory and technological developments shaping the future of agriculture.
Among the notable sessions were:
Global Crop Protection Outlook 2026 by Abhijit Bose, Executive President & COO, Tagros Chemicals India, who analysed global market trends, regional opportunities and the continuing importance of crop protection in ensuring food security.
Reimagining Agrochemical Supply Chains by Vipul Patel, PI Industries, examining how geopolitical developments, sustainability expectations and import dependencies are reshaping procurement strategies.
Weaponized Trade Economy & Currency Fluctuation Impacts on Exports by Ajay Joshi, Founder, Ajay Joshi Chemicals, focusing on the impact of trade tariffs and exchange-rate volatility on global agrochemical trade.
Make in India for the World by Jitendra Mohan, COO, Willowood Chemicals, highlighting India’s growing strengths in specialty chemicals, process chemistry and contract manufacturing.
Regulatory Overview of the Global Biopesticides Market by Akashpratim Mukhopadhyay, S&P Global Commodity Insights, providing updates on evolving regulatory frameworks across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Advances in Adjuvants for Modern Agriculture by Prasad Nadella, BASF India, discussing next-generation adjuvant technologies, including products designed for drone-based crop protection applications.
Integration of Biologicals with Conventional Agri Solutions by Atul Churiwal, Managing Director, Krishi Rasayan Exports, outlining strategies for combining biologicals with conventional crop protection to improve productivity while supporting sustainability.
Global AgBio Market Information by Lawrence Middler, Senior Analyst, AgbioInvestor, reviewing worldwide trends in biopesticides and biostimulants.
Applications of Seaweed in Agriculture by Dr. Arup Ghosh, Director, CSIR-CSMCRI, showcasing the expanding role of marine-based biostimulants and organic nutrition solutions.
Next Generation Bio-Agricultural Formulations by Dr. P.K. Patanjali, Former Scientist, IPFT, highlighting advances in microbiome science, encapsulation technologies and precision bio-formulations.
Panel discussions focused on surfactant technologies, formulation innovation, specialty fertilizers, biologicals and regulatory reforms. Industry experts also discussed proposals including a “One Nation, One Licence” framework, greater use of NABL-accredited laboratories, modernization of label claims and policy measures aimed at accelerating innovation in biological inputs.
PMFAI Recognises Excellence Across the Agri-Inputs Industry
Coinciding with the conference, PMFAI presented its annual awards recognising outstanding contributions to India’s agri-input sector. The awards ceremony was attended by more than 1,150 industry professionals, with Dr. Subhash Chand, Secretary, Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC), serving as Guest of Honour.
During his address, Dr. Chand emphasised the importance of research, innovation and regulatory support in advancing India’s “Make in India” vision while encouraging the development of safer and more sustainable crop protection technologies.
Dr. Chand also mentioned that Indian agrochemical manufacturers are steadily evolving from being primarily generic producers into innovators. He expressed confidence that the country is on the verge of a significant milestone, noting that India is not far from witnessing the discovery of novel agrochemical molecules developed domestically and their regulatory registrations in the coming months, reflecting the growing strength of the country’s research and innovation ecosystem.
PMFAI Annual Agchem Awards 2026
Award Category
Awardee
Institutional Sales Person of the Year
Sanjay Raut, Head – Institutional Sales, UPL SAS Ltd.
Om Dhande, General Manager – Sales, Dai Ichi Karkaria Ltd.
Contribution in Biostimulants – Use of Seaweed in Agriculture
Dr. Arup Ghosh, Director, CSIR-CSMCRI
Contribution in Biopesticides – Semio Chemicals
Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, Managing Director, ATGC Biotech Pvt. Ltd.
Emerging Leader of the Year
Jitendra Mohan, COO, Willowood Chemicals Ltd.
Lifetime Contribution to the Agchem Industry
D.K. Jain, CEO, India Pesticides Ltd.
Lifetime Contribution to the Agchem Industry – D.K. Jain, CEO, India Pesticides Ltd.
With strong international participation, extensive technical discussions and recognition of industry leadership, ICSCE Delhi 2026 reinforced its role as a key global platform for advancing innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth across the agricultural inputs sector.
PMFAI also announced that the next edition of the International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE) will be held in Dubai, UAE, on 19–20 January 2027. Building on the success of the Delhi conference, the Dubai edition is expected to bring together global manufacturers, technology providers, distributors, regulators and industry leaders to discuss emerging opportunities, innovation, trade and sustainability across the international agri-input sector.
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