The 23rd International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE Dubai 2026) and the 7th edition of the PMFAI-SML Annual Agchem Awards were successfully held at the Le Meridien Hotel & Conference Centre, Dubai, UAE, bringing together global leaders, innovators, and policymakers in the agri-inputs sector.
Organised by the PMFAI Agribusiness Foundation, ICSCE 2026 marked a new era under the Foundation, established in 2023, continuing a legacy of 22 international editions held since 1997. The conference reaffirmed PMFAI’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, scientific innovation, and international collaboration in agrochemicals, agri-biologicals, and allied sectors.
Global Participation and Industry Showcase
The two-day event attracted over 1,200 delegates from 43 countries, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. 117 leading companies showcased their innovations across crop protection chemicals, biologicals, biostimulants, and digital agriculture solutions.
Keynote and Expert Presentations
The conference opened with a welcome address by Mr. Pradip Dave, President of PMFAI, who highlighted India’s rise as the world’s fourth-largest producer and second-largest exporter of agrochemicals, supplying over 160 countries.
Dr. Shaza Roshdy Omar, Plant Health Expert with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), delivered the keynote on international plant health systems, emphasizing early detection, prevention, and harmonized standards as critical tools for sustainable agriculture and food security.
The conference featured numerous expert presentations covering topics such as:
- Strategic risks and opportunities in global agrochemicals.
- Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) and crop nutrition.
- India’s role in global supply chains and the “China Plus One” strategy.
- Biopesticides, biostimulants, and green agrochemical innovations.
- Process technologies for agrochemical production and digitization of supply chains.
- Market insights from Europe, China, and emerging global trends.
A roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Samir Dave, Secretary of PMFAI, brought together next-generation leaders in the agrochemical industry to discuss R&D priorities, export strategies, and opportunities for innovation in India.
PMFAI-SML Annual Agchem Awards 2026
The evening of 19th January saw the 7th PMFAI-SML Annual Agchem Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the Indian agrochemical, agri-biological, and allied sectors. The awards, instituted in 2018 and sponsored by SML Limited, honor companies and individuals driving innovation, export excellence, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Key Award Winners Included:
- Export Excellence (Large Scale): Parijat Industries (India) Ltd.
- Emerging Company of the Year (Medium Scale): Concreate Global Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Scimplify)
- Company of the Year (Large Scale): Krishi Rasayan Exports Pvt. Ltd.
- Outstanding Innovation: Indofil Industries Ltd. & Nouryon Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd.
- Social Responsibility Excellence: Excel Industries Ltd.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr. Dipesh K. Shroff, Agrocel Industries Pvt. Ltd. & Solaris Chemtech
- The Guiding Legend Award: Mr. Pradip Dave, Chairman, AIMCO Pesticides Ltd., and President, PMFAI
The awards recognized both large and medium-scale enterprises, small-scale innovators, and individuals who have demonstrated leadership, vision, and long-term contributions to the sector. The event concluded with a gala dinner and networking reception attended by around 900 industry professionals.
ICSCE 2026 and the PMFAI-SML Awards underscored India’s growing influence in the global agrochemical landscape and highlighted the sector’s commitment to sustainable agricultural solutions, technological innovation, and international collaboration.
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