Mumbai: CropLife India announces a significant leadership transition with the election of Crystal Crop Protection Ltd, managing director, Ankur Aggarwal as the new chairman of the board during its 44th Annual General Meeting. Aggarwal succeeds K. C. Ravi, who served as chairman for the past four years, bringing his extensive expertise to guide the organisation’s mission of advancing sustainable agriculture in India.
The AGM also re-elected Sumitomo Chemical India, vice president, Anil Kakkar as vice chairman for a fourth consecutive year. Additionally, Bayer CropScience, chief operating officer for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, Mohan Babu joins the leadership as the second vice chairman of the board.
Aggarwal emphasised the challenges facing India's agriculture, stating, “India is confronted with a pressing challenge: decreasing agricultural landholdings alongside a growing population, which is increasing at about 0.8 per cent annually. This scenario heightens the demand for food production, putting pressure on food systems and necessitating innovative solutions for food security. To address this, the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, efficient resource management, and responsible use of crop protection solutions will be essential for maximising productivity on existing farmland. As the Chairman of CropLife India, we remain committed to improving the lives of Indian farmers. We are dedicated to providing them with science-based solutions that ensure effective and sustainable crop protection.”
CropLife India, secretary general, Durgesh Chandra expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating, “It will be our earnest endeavor in collaborating closely with Ankur Aggarwal and the board of directors, to fulfill our responsibility in delivering the latest and safest innovations. Together, we aim to educate farmers on the safe and responsible use of crop protection solutions, ensuring they can effectively protect their crops while prioritising safety and sustainability.”
With its members working closely with farmers, the scientific community, and policymakers, CropLife India continues to tackle both current and future agricultural challenges. Member companies have pledged to invest 10 billion Euros in precision agriculture by 2030, along with another 4 billion Euros in biopesticides development, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable growth.
The new leadership is set to steer CropLife India towards a more resilient agricultural future, prioritising innovative technologies and sustainable practices to help farmers meet growing demands.
