Operations of Bayer in India have started way back in 1950’s. It was the time when India was reeling under unprecedented natural calamities and huge crop losses. Those were the days when food production by far was not enough to secure adequate nutrition for the people. Malnutrition and periodic famine occurring in about all parts of the country were almost to be considered as normal happenings. For this reason the increase of harvest yields was of greatest importance in India. In this context one of the measures was the protection of food crops against losses due to diseases and in particular insects. Pest losses were relatively much higher than in Europe and above all, pest control measures were not existing in general. They were mainly limited to plantations, especially tea and coffee, to limited extent. In general agriculture, measures of modern pest control were still unknown. Overcoming these calamities was one of the most important problems and a task, which is without doubt realized and tackled earnestly and energetically by many responsible organisations.Bayer’s attempt to attend to this task started in 1950’s but it was clear right from the start that due to the vastness of the country and multitude of agricultural production that only the major problems could be pondered and attended to.

In the vast sub-continent for adequate representation and effective promotion of agrochemicals, branch offices were initially accommodated by M/s Chika Ltd. (the then distributor of Agrochemicals) in Delhi, Calcutta and Madras with a skeleton staff in 1958/59. Bayer Agrochem Pvt. Ltd was incorporated on 9/Sept./1958 and the rapid development of business prompted opening of branch offices by 1964 and also establishing regional offices in Secunderabad, to begin with in 1965. This was followed by Ahmedabad in 1966, Chandigarh in 1968 and Pune in 1970.

Presently, Agrochemicals division of Bayer India Ltd is supported with 15 regional offices, vast distribution network of 1000 Central Stocist’s and 30000 dealers and more than 200 well trained extension agents.

Our qualified Sales Managers, supported by a team of Extension Organisers and Representatives are carrying out the extension/sale of Bayer agrochemicals, ably backed by a trained administrative set-up.

The Indian agricultural market is very competitive with more than 162 registered products manufactured by more than 10 international, 50 national manufacturers and around 600 formulators. More than 90% of the consumed active ingredients are locally produced, but utilization of the installed capacity is only around 65%. This situation - together with the tight financial conditions on the purchase side - make India a highly price-sensitive market.

Business Group Agrochemicals is the leading player in Ag-chem industry showing continuos and sustained growth over a period of time. With its commitment to the Indian farmers, Bayer stood first in introducing quality agrochemicals in Indian market. Bayer’s innovative and environmental friendly products like Confidor and Gaucho have proved very useful to the farming community and became leading products in their respective segments.

The agrochemical market is highly skewed to few crops like Cotton, Paddy and few states like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. Bayer is very strong in all the dominant segments and with its long product pipeline, the future looks even brighter.