India, China must explore transformative partnerships in agriculture; says Vimal Kumar

Amid the changing global landscape, India and China have a unique opportunity to redefine their bilateral relationship, shifting the focus from border disputes to mutually beneficial partnerships in agriculture.
Beyond the usual buyer-seller relationship, both countries can explore the untapped potential of jointly developing advanced agrochemicals, nano-fertilizers and eco-friendly biopesticides, which could transform agriculture in both nations and beyond.
India, aiming to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047 and China is balancing manufacturing efficiency with sustainability, face shared challenges in achieving food security while reducing environmental damage.
India’s agrochemical sector, currently valued at $5.5 billion, is poised for significant growth but depends heavily on China for specialty materials.
Vimal Kumar, Managing Director, Best Agrolife said both countries can enter into transformative collaborations to address sustainability and food security challenges for their combined population of nearly 2.8 billion people.
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India’s intellectual capital and entrepreneurial prowess, combined with China’s robust manufacturing infrastructure, could revolutionise sustainable agricultural solutions on a global scale, he said.
China dominates the global pesticide market, producing over 40 per cent of the world’s supply, yet faces mounting pressure to improve sustainability.
By leveraging India’s research and development expertise alongside China’s economies of scale, the two countries could create cost-effective, sustainable agricultural products. “Jointly developed solutions could serve both domestic and global markets, positioning India and China as leaders in sustainable agri-inputs,” said Kumar.
India’s agrochemical consumption stands at just 400 grams per hectare, far below the global average of 2.6 kilograms, indicating significant room for growth.
At the same time, China’s agricultural policies, such as the “No. 1 Central Document,” emphasize reducing chemical inputs, improving soil health and enhancing food safety. These shared priorities create fertile ground for innovation, particularly in precision-targeted herbicides and microbial soil conditioners.
Developing and scaling agricultural innovations face significant regulatory challenges and long timelines. However, he stresses that the long-term benefits, such as food security and environmental sustainability, far outweigh the difficulties.
Though skepticism exists about the feasibility of robust India-China partnerships, the global shift toward sustainable practices strengthens the rationale for collaboration.
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