Agriculture (including Agrochemicals, Seeds & Fertilizers)

Kochhar & Co. has extensive experience in handling a wide range of legal and regulatory issues pertaining to the agriculture and agrochemical sector. The firm represents several reputed multinational and domestic agrochemical companies, industry associations, seed companies, fertilizer manufacturers, and agricultural input businesses. The Firm’s services span across regulatory advisory, litigation, enforcement actions, and transactional support.

Our Agriculture Practice advises clients on compliance under a complex web of central and state laws including the Insecticides Act, 1968, Seeds Act, 1966, Seeds Control Order, 1983, Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, Legal Metrology Act, 2009, Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, among others. The team regularly advises clients on evolving regulatory norms, licensing, labeling, packaging, product registrations, and statutory inspections.

The Firm has significant experience in handling regulatory litigation and enforcement matters, including drafting replies to show cause notices, representing clients before appellate authorities, and defending misbranding and criminal prosecution cases across multiple jurisdictions in India. The Firm has also successfully filed writ petitions before various High Courts and the Supreme Court, challenging governmental actions and policy decisions adversely impacting clients.

The Practice has led anti-counterfeiting investigations and enforcement actions, including the coordination of large-scale raids across India in collaboration with local authorities. Kochhar & Co. is also engaged in PAN-India litigation concerning recovery actions, dishonour of cheques, public procurement disputes, and arbitrations arising in the agriculture sector.

The Firm regularly undertakes detailed legal audits, including the review of product labels for regulatory compliance, as well as due diligence exercises relating to land/property proposed to be purchased or leased by clients for agri-business operations. The team also audits licenses issued under various agricultural laws to ensure continued compliance and operational readiness.

Kochhar & Co. has advised on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships between agrochemical companies and routinely represents clients in disputes involving customs and revenue authorities.