"Dear All Members,
The 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Agro Inputs Manufacturers Association (AIM) was held at Hotel Grand Sheraton, Pune on 21.10.2023. More than 140 members attended the meeting.
Please note the minutes of the meeting as under –
1) Vice President Pradeep Kothawade welcomed all the members and informed them in brief about Association’s journey so far and also explained about various activities that Association has carried out successfully till date. He also stressed the importance of having infrastructure and need for maintaining the quality of 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐨 inputs produced by AIM members. He also appraised members about new technologies emerging in the agriculture sector.
2) Secretary Sameer Pathare reviewed the work done by the Association in 2022-23. He informed the house that the Association is making every possible effort for AIM members to apply for Form G for 8 products under the ‘pooled data’ which is already approved by the Government and that the process seems to be in the last stage.
He further assured that the second set of such data will be undertaken by the Association for other common products once the existing pooled data gets approved.
He informed that in the last stockholders meeting under the chairpersonship of JS, INM at Delhi on 30th August 2023, detailed discussion was done on recommendations given by the scientific community and industry representatives after the brainstorming session at NAAS complex on 5th July 2023. Some of the relaxation that can be given on certain aspects and notification will be amended soon on below -
- Pool Data generated by industrial Associations can be used by multiple companies
- Method of analysis can be given by the manufacturer and it is to be validated by a NABL laboratory
- Microbes will be included in the Biostimulant categories
- MRL limit to be increased so as heavy metals limit of Zinc and Copper
- Toxicity data can be scrapped on case to case basis and Tox data on higher concentration can be applicable to lower concentration of same product
- Efficacy data is required per crop and Lable claim should be made likewise
- Mixtures containing two Biostimulant categories will be allowed to formulate
- Tie up arrangement for laboratories will be allowed
- We have put up the issue of “three years selling “before notification date to “any three years “
Above changes are expected in notification by way of amendments in the gazette.
He also informed the house about the proposed AIM Laboratory which will be installed by member’s contribution and run by a professional set up. The plan will be soon finalised and conveyed to members.
He informed the house that AIM played an important role in solving the Custom clearance issue of Biostimulants raw materials in a joint meeting arranged by the INM and Joint Commissioner of Customs. INM has issued a clarification in this regard which asks imported to declare that the goods are not sold directly to the farmers. This has helped many AIM members and everyone in India tremendously.
He informed the house that the sub-committees formed by the association namely – Technical and Events & Learning Committees have been doing exceptionally good work along with the GC Committee. The members of both the committees were acknowledged and welcomed by the members in a loud cheer during the meeting.
3) The Audit report of the organization for the year 2022-23 was presented by the Treasurer Shri. Sarjerao Shisode and it was unanimously approved.
4) 'Shinde, Chavan, Gandhi Company' was unanimously appointed as AIM Association’s Chartered Accountants for the year 2023-24
5) The financial budget of the association for the year 2023-24 was presented to all the members and was approved unanimously.
6) Vice Secretary Vaibhav Kashikar in his speech appealed to every member to come strongly for raising common goal funds. He explained the importance of having a strong financial position for the Association which can be utilised for various projects as well as for legal issues if they occur in future. He also asked individual companies to gear up for their proprietary products and make funds provision.
7) Rajiv Chaudhary while addressing the meeting informed that the multinational companies may oppose AIM’s Pool Data and appealed to members to keep their patience and be united till the end. He said that there is a clear divide seen between MNCs and MSMEs on certain key aspects of notification.
8) In his Presidential speech, Rajkumar Dhurgude Patil thanked all the members for their outstanding support since the last decade and assured the members that the Association will always stand by the genuine members and will try to solve their problems. He also appealed to the members for more active support for Association’s data generation drive and appealed to the members to complete the payment within the prescribed time frame. He further added that AIM will take up the next set of products soon. He assured the members that the funds are used judiciously and that the members should not deter to pay their contribution.
He also informed the house that in order to protect AIM members' right for pool data ownership, the Association will move the court of law to seek justice.
He also informed about the Association's stand on recent proposed bills / amendments by the government of Maharashtra. He said that it’s unnecessary regulation and will also affect genuine manufacturers. He informed the house that AIM’s perspective in this regard is already submitted to the ministry and that a personal meeting with officials will be arranged soon.
9) Daund region MLA Shri Rahul Kool was felicitated in the AGM who promised to help the Association for good and genuine causes.
10) In the last Q & A session, AIM GC members answered different queries posted in writing by the members and expressed their views on Association’s working and suggested further for member betterment.
GC member Prashant Shinde thanked the members for their esteemed presence and support and making the AGM successful and closing the meeting."
Market Yard, Pune