Overview
Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) is an Indian public sector chemical company engaged in the manufacture and marketing of agrochemicals, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and weedicides. It functions under the administrative control of the Government of India through the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Key facts
| Type | Public sector undertaking |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agrochemicals and chemicals |
| Country | India |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Administrative ministry | Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals |
| Products | Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, weedicides and intermediates |
Background
HIL was established to support India's national programmes in public health and agriculture by domestically producing pesticides that were otherwise dependent on imports. A central impetus for setting up the company was the demand for DDT, which was used extensively in the National Malaria Eradication Programme. Over time, the company diversified into a wider portfolio of agrochemicals catering to the needs of Indian agriculture.
Operations
The company operates manufacturing facilities producing technical-grade pesticides and their formulations. Its product range includes both technical-grade chemicals supplied to formulators and finished formulations sold to farmers and government agencies. HIL also supplies pesticides to central and state government health departments for vector-control programmes.
Product areas
- Insecticides for crop protection and public health use
- Fungicides for management of plant diseases
- Herbicides and weedicides for agricultural use
- Chemical intermediates
Significance
As one of the few Government of India undertakings in the agrochemical sector, HIL has played a role in two distinct policy areas: supporting the country's vector-borne disease control efforts, particularly against malaria, and contributing to agricultural productivity by ensuring availability of crop-protection chemicals. The company has also undertaken supplies for international public-health agencies under tenders for DDT and similar products.
Related topics
- Public sector undertakings in India
- Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
- DDT
- National Malaria Eradication Programme
- Agriculture in India
- Pesticide industry in India
References
- Wikidata entry: Q3595308
- Government of India, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals — list of public sector undertakings