What's in a Name?

The history behind the CropLife Asia name and its global network is a chronicle of the plant science industry’s continuous adaptation to technological innovation and its expanding role in sustainable agriculture and the development of society.

Rebirth

CropLife Asia was born with the formal launching of its name on 21 March 2002.

The origins of CropLife Asia date back to 1991 when GIFAP (the French acronym for the International Group of National Associations of Manufacturers of Agrochemical Products) launched in Thailand a Safe-Use Pilot Project fostering the responsible use of crop protection. The success of that project led to the formation of the Asia Pacific Crop Protection Association (APCPA).

A total of 12 member associations and 12 member companies founded APCPA on 25 April 1996. Later, associations in China, Korea and recently Taiwan joined APCPA to make up today’s list of 15 member associations under CropLife Asia.

New name, new attitude

Seven months after APCPA was launched, GIFAP in Brussels changed its name to the Global Crop Protection Federation (GCPF).

Meanwhile, major changes were happening as agrochemical industries worldwide broadened their scope of activities to include the development of plant biotechnology and adopted a new attitude of better understanding and addressing issues of concern to civil society.

On 7 June 2001, GCPF became CropLife International to reflect the evolution of the industry sector itself and the global socio-political environment in which it operates.

Quick to adapt to these global changes, APCPA changed its name to CropLife Asia in 2002. During this evolutionary period, an industry consolidation gave rise to the current six member companies of CropLife Asia.