Crop Protection and Environment

Agriculture is the world’s largest industry, and with population growth leading to increasing basic protein requirements and economic growth fueling higher rates of per capita consumption, there is a great need for an ever more productive agriculture that protects and promotes environmental integrity rather than degrades it. The cropping pattern in India is fast changing, particularly towards export-oriented, value-added, crops mainly major spices, fruits, vegetables and industrial crops. Some of these crops like grapes require as high as 20 sprays in a year. Similarly, other crops such as small cardamom 12 insecticide and six fungicide sprays per year, irrigated chillies and cotton need 12 rounds of pesticide sprays per season.