Today, BASF opened a new Agricultural Research Station in Loni Kand, Pune, India. This new research and development (R&D) center will focus on global agricultural research on herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, as well as on solutions that go beyond classical crop protection. The facility will employ new experts, including biologists, farm managers, and workers.

In addition to conducting research in areas of global agricultural interest, the R&D center will also investigate scenarios that are unique to India. These include challenges such as India’s specific weeds and pests, as well as climate stresses, like drought, flood cycles, and heat stress. Through its extensive research efforts, the R&D center aims to help farmers make better decisions and improve productivity during the entire cultivation cycle. 

“Raising agriculture productivity to meet the increasing demand for quality and quantity of food, is one of the most important challenges facing our country. By setting up a new R&D center in India, BASF aims to actively look into both local and global topics and develop sustainable solutions to help farmers to solve their challenges and improve food output to feed the growing population in India,” said Raman Ramachandran, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF India Ltd. and Head of BASF South Asia.

Pune has been chosen as the site for the research center because of its ideal location in the southern Indian climate zone. The close proximity to local universities and research institutions makes it possible to generate synergies and promote collaboration in order to build a strong ecosystem that can further boost the agricultural sector.

The center will contribute to tailor-made solutions for India’s agriculture while moving towards BASF’s strategic goal to innovate from Asia Pacific, for Asia Pacific and the world. “Our role is to partner with farmers and to work with them to protect the land they hold in trust for future generations and to meet the evolving expectations of society. The team in India will contribute to these goals by driving the development of new active ingredients, new formulations, and technologies,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection Division.

In 2014, BASF announced breaking ground for its Innovation Campus in Mumbai via BASF Chemicals India Private Limited, a 100% subsidiary of BASF SE, which will also do research in the area of crop protection with Indian talents and local expertise. Both the Innovation Campus and the new Agricultural Research Station are integral components of BASF’ global innovation network. The two R&D facilities will share intelligence and research findings, and generate synergies while developing new crop protection solutions.

With agricultural research stations in different parts of the world, BASF can conduct trials all year around, under different climate and agricultural conditions in order to get a better understanding of how its products perform in the field. Pune will become BASF’s fifth Agricultural Research Station, in addition to those already in Brazil, Spain, Germany, and the Philippines. In total, BASF spends more than €500 million annually on global agricultural R&D showing its commitment to bring sustainable solutions to the agricultural market.

About BASF’s Crop Protection division

With sales of more than €5.4 billion in 2014, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, seed treatment and biological control as well as innovations to manage nutrients and plant stress. Its portfolio also includes products for turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. BASF Crop Protection is a leading innovator that partners with growers to protect and enhance crop yields, enabling them to produce high quality food more efficiently. By delivering new technologies and know-how, BASF Crop Protection supports growers to make a better life for themselves, their families and communities. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or on our social media channels .