The ICPA claims that the Insecticides Act, which was framed over 30 years ago, is outdated and does not address the industry's objectives now. The Act, it claims, does not differentiate between technology providers and others and hence is not sensitive enough to current demands.

Kaundinya also said that spurious pesticides account for sales in excess of Rs 1,000 crore and that the ICPA has roped in a retired CBI director to assist it in checking this growing menace. The industry body has called for a replication of the model adopted by the China Crop Protection Association, in tandem with the Asia Pacific Crop Protection Association, to weed out such fake manufacturers. The ICPA is also looking into the issue of recovery of used aluminium bottles, given the fact that these are hazardous to the environment and find their way into the spurious trade.

The ICPA has also sought reasonable protection to new technology, adding that this is essential for the rapid modernisation of product portfolios and also for getting the best results out of new technology. "Investments in product stewardship by research-based companies should be encouraged so that farmers reap the benefits of new technology," Kaundinya added.

Meanwhile, additional secretary, ministry of agriculture, Sathi Nair said that there was a need to evolve a code of good manufacturing practices in the agrochem segment. Indications are that the government is also looking into the use of chlorpyriphos, following the ban imposed on the household use of this product in the US.

Earlier the president of the Federation of Farmers Association, Andhra Pradesh, P Chengal Reddy put forth a collaborative proposition and suggested that his association could be the operational arm of the ICPA in AP. He also stressed the need to organise homogenous farmer groups to facilitate the transfer of modern agricultural technology.