CropLife India Welcomes ‘Bharat Vistaar’, Urges Stronger Extension and R&D Support to Raise Farm Incomes

02 February 2026, New Delhi: CropLife India, representing 17 research-driven crop science companies, has welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27, citing the government’s continued emphasis on improving farmer incomes through productivity enhancement, sustainability, and technology adoption.

The association particularly welcomed the launch of ‘Bharat Vistaar’, a multilingual, AI-enabled digital platform designed to strengthen last-mile delivery of agricultural knowledge, as well as the Budget’s focus on high-value crops as a pathway for farm income diversification. CropLife India, however, cautioned that the impact of these initiatives will depend on the strength of on-ground extension systems and sustained investment in crop science research.

According to the association, digital platforms can improve access to information, but consistent farm-level outcomes require advisory services that are locally relevant, timely, and supported by field-based extension networks—especially as farmers face increasing climate stress, evolving pest pressures, and resistance challenges.

Commenting on the Budget, Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman, CropLife India, and Executive Chairman & Managing Director of Crystal Crop Protection Ltd., said the integration of digital tools with validated agronomic practices could improve decision-making at the farm level.

“‘Bharat Vistaar’ has the potential to change how scientific knowledge reaches farmers by improving last-mile extension. Linking Agri Stack’s digital farmer records with ICAR-validated packages of practices can enable more precise, need-based advisory. However, digital tools deliver results only when they are supported by effective field-level extension systems that ensure recommendations are applied correctly under local conditions,” he said.

Highlighting the growing complexity of farming risks, Aggarwal noted that climate variability, changing pest dynamics, and resistance are placing pressure on existing crop protection solutions. At the same time, farmers shifting toward high-value crops are increasingly required to meet stringent quality, traceability, and food safety norms in both domestic and export markets.

“Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment in crop science R&D, faster access to newer and low-dose technologies, and policies that help farmers protect yields while complying with Good Agricultural Practices and international standards such as Maximum Residue Limits,” he added.

CropLife India reiterated that improving farm incomes in this environment requires a predictable and supportive policy framework. The association urged the government to consider a 200 percent weighted deduction on R&D expenditure, a reduction in GST on agrochemicals from 18 percent to 5 percent, and the retention of a uniform basic customs duty of 10 percent on both technical raw materials and formulations to improve affordability and access.

The association also emphasised the need for a coordinated national effort to strengthen agricultural extension services to scale Good Agricultural Practices, improve residue management, enhance farmer safety, and support the responsible adoption of modern crop protection technologies.

CropLife India said it remains committed to working with policymakers, research institutions, and extension agencies to advance science-based, farmer-centric solutions that support productivity growth, sustainability, and long-term food security.

Also Read: Sahyadri Farms: A Farmer-Led Collective Transforming Indian Agriculture

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