SML Limited (formerly Sulphur Mills Limited) stands as a globally acclaimed pioneer in innovative and advanced agricultural solutions. Since its inception in 1971, the company has expanded its presence to over 80 countries, specializing in crop protection, crop nutrition, soil health, and biological solutions. Through relentless research and development, SML has been at the forefront of driving sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, empowering farmers for more than five decades.
The company trailblazes in biorational technologies and advanced formulations, producing agrochemicals and biologicals that prioritize environmental safety. It boasts the world’s largest capacity for manufacturing Water Dispersible Granule (WDG) formulations—100,000 MT annually—along with over 6 million liters of SC and EW formulations. These industry-leading capabilities underscore SML’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Equipped with state-of-the-art R&D facilities, SML develops groundbreaking insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and nutrient formulations. Patented technologies enhance crop immunity, provide robust protection, and elevate yield quality. Additionally, the company offers high-efficiency fertilizers sourced from natural minerals. These fertilizers enrich soil health, preserve organic matter, and directly address the challenges posed by climate change.
SML’s advanced crop protection solutions carry low dosages, reducing soil toxicity and minimizing residues. This approach boosts nutrient uptake efficiency and enhances the profitability of farmers while maintaining ecological balance.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Deepak Shah, Founder and Chairman of SML Limited, delves into the company’s revolutionary agrochemicals that enhance crop yields and profitability of farmers. He sheds light on optimizing land usage, discusses policies for leveraging expired patents, and highlights the potential of off-patent molecules to transform Indian agriculture. Here are the key takeaways from this engaging and insightful conversation.
Q: What innovative agrochemical products can be developed to effectively address the challenges faced by farmers while ensuring sustainability and enhancing agricultural productivity in the country?
A: Products must prioritize environmental safety and sustainability—that’s the foremost criterion. However, they must also integrate cutting-edge technology. The guiding principle is more from less. This means using fewer chemicals while achieving greater efficacy. At SML, we have pioneered this transformative approach. Our innovations often reduce chemical usage by 50% or more, delivering the same or better results.
Even in the realm of nutrition solutions, our advancements set new benchmarks. Our products boast nutrient use efficiencies 20 to 30 times higher than conventional options on the market. Let me illustrate this with an example: traditional housing sulphate used in paddy cultivation often dissolves in water, running off into rivers and contributing to pollution. Instead, the solution lies in creating products that remain near the crop, insoluble in water, and gradually release nutrients. This not only enhances yield but also ensures the production of higher-quality, nutrient-rich food.
This is the future of sustainable agriculture, and SML is leading the charge.
Q: What innovative products and solutions is SML introducing to meet evolving market demands and drive growth?
A: We have introduced several groundbreaking products, with many more in the pipeline. The list is extensive. Recently, we launched a world-first innovation: an insecticide combined with a nutrient. This patented product is unlike anything else on the global market.
Regulatory authorities took additional time to evaluate it because they found no comparable precedent. This revolutionary formulation seamlessly integrates insect control with plant nutrition, setting a new benchmark for agricultural solutions.
Q: Given the limited availability of agricultural land, what government policies should be implemented to optimize land use, enhance its productivity, and make it more beneficial for farmers?
A: We must prioritize harvesting more water to address agricultural challenges. Every farmer should have the ability to cultivate not just two crops, but three crops annually. Currently, however, nearly 40% to 50% of farmers grow only one crop per year. Imagine the transformative impact if all farmers produced three crops. Agricultural output would nearly double without requiring additional land.
How can we achieve this? The solution lies in ensuring water availability throughout all 12 months. Farmers need water delivered reliably and conveniently, right when they need it. This is the cornerstone of year-round cultivation.
But water alone isn’t enough. Farmers must embrace modern technologies, access better education, and benefit from robust extension services. Industry stakeholders, while already contributing, must scale up their efforts to support this shift. Together, these actions can drive a revolution in agricultural productivity.
Q: What policies should be implemented to harness the opportunities presented by expired agrochemical patents, fostering innovation and accessibility for farmers?
A: This concerns expired patents, signalling that 20 years have passed since the introduction of certain molecules. These molecules are already well-established and proven. While some may not yet be available in India, they have been extensively used in regions like Europe, the USA, Australia, and other countries.
In many cases, these molecules were initially developed for specific crops, but their efficacy and safety are already thoroughly validated. Given this proven track record, extensive additional testing is unnecessary. Leveraging these molecules for agrochemical manufacturing can offer immense benefits to farmers, providing them with reliable and effective solutions for agricultural challenges.
Q: How can the utilization of expired agrochemical patents benefit Indian farmers?
A: India currently has 350 registered molecules. But how can we expand this number to 450? Introducing 100 new molecules shouldn’t take five years—it can be accomplished in just two. Accelerating this process would bring immense benefits to Indian agriculture and, more importantly, to the farmers who rely on these advancements.
Our ultimate goal is clear: to empower farmers. Every effort we make must serve this singular purpose, ensuring they have access to the best tools and technologies to thrive.
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