Pest resistance is forcing India’s crop-protection firms to rethink product strategies: Insecticides India MD
Resistance to chemicals and formulations is an evolving challenge, particularly in crops where the same pest pressures persist over multiple seasons, said Rajesh Aggarwal, MD of Insecticides (India).
Resistance to chemicals and insecticides is driving India's agrochemical sector to explore innovative solutions, as farmers seek more effective and cost-efficient pest control methods. Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director of Insecticides (India), highlighted the industry's shift towards new molecules, specialized formulations, and integrated solutions to address evolving pest behaviors and changing farmer needs.
The adoption of new products depends on their ability to deliver improved pest control and justify their cost, according to Aggarwal.
Differentiated products play a crucial role in the company's margin strategy, as intense competition and price pressures make it essential to offer premium solutions that provide clear value to farmers. Aggarwal emphasized the importance of field demonstrations to showcase the effectiveness of new technologies and build farmer confidence. Premium products are becoming increasingly important in the company's margin strategy, as pricing pressures continue to remain high.
Insecticides (India) has seen a 31.6% increase in gross margin to 31.6% in Q1 FY27 from 29.2% in the previous year, driven by a focus on pricing discipline and a growing premium product mix. The company expects margins to improve further through premiumization, new product launches, operational efficiencies, and its robust research and development pipeline.
Despite weather volatility impacting agricultural-input markets, the push for innovation in pest control solutions remains essential. Insecticides (India) reported a 12% year-on-year decline in consolidated revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, due to unfavorable and uneven rainfall affecting crop activity and delaying demand.
However, the company remains optimistic about underlying growth drivers in the crop-protection sector, including the continued need to protect yields from evolving pest pressures and increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times - Economy's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
