ACFI Conducts Awareness Programme on Sustainable Agriculture Practices in Chandigarh
The Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI) organized an awareness and interaction programme in Chandigarh aimed at strengthening collaboration between the agrochemical industry and its distribution network to promote sustainable and scientific farming practices.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Dealer Industry Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture,” the programme brought together agri dealers, distributors, retailers, field advisors, and sales and marketing professionals from Punjab, Haryana, and other parts of the agricultural value chain.
The event focused on key issues including responsible agrochemical usage, farmer awareness, stewardship initiatives, safe agricultural practices, and compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
Focus on Scientific and Responsible Farming
Addressing participants, Kalyan Goswami, Director General of ACFI, highlighted the important role played by agri dealers and distributors in guiding farmers toward informed and scientific agricultural practices.
“Agri dealers and distributors serve as the first point of interaction for farmers and therefore play a critical role in guiding farming communities towards scientific and judicious use of agrochemicals,” Goswami said.
He added that the programme emphasized building farmer trust through responsible advisory services, addressing misconceptions surrounding pesticide usage, strengthening industry-distribution coordination, and improving grassroots-level farmer education.
Discussions on Sustainability and Product Stewardship
Participants discussed best practices for responsible agri-input retailing, preventing counterfeit products, enhancing agricultural productivity, and ensuring environmental safety. The programme also encouraged informed decision-making at the farm level through better awareness and technical knowledge.
Industry representatives and channel partners collectively pledged to support the safe, scientific, and responsible use of agrochemicals while contributing to the welfare of farmers and the long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture.
According to Goswami, stronger collaboration between industry stakeholders and dealers has become increasingly important to promote agricultural sustainability, improve awareness of safe usage practices, and strengthen compliance with stewardship and regulatory frameworks.
Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building
The programme also featured sessions on technical training, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of modern agricultural practices designed to improve farm productivity while balancing environmental responsibility and user safety.
Among the speakers were Sanjay Chaudhary from Indogulf Cropsciences Ltd., Dr. M. Irfan from Bharat Certis Agrisciences Ltd., and Dharam Kumar Bansal, Vice President of the Agri Inputs Dealers Association (Regd.) Punjab.
The speakers addressed common misconceptions regarding pesticide use and highlighted the role of dealers and distributors in promoting sustainable agriculture through the scientific application of agrochemicals.
Strengthening the Agriculture Ecosystem
The Chandigarh programme forms part of ACFI’s broader efforts to encourage responsible farming practices, improve awareness across the agricultural ecosystem, and support the adoption of sustainable solutions that balance productivity, environmental stewardship, and farmer welfare.
As regulatory expectations and sustainability requirements continue to evolve, industry stakeholders emphasized the importance of ongoing engagement, education, and cooperation to build a more resilient and responsible agricultural sector.
