Dharmaj Crop Guard Limited has announced the appointment of celebrated cricketer Rohit Sharma as its brand ambassador on February 11, 2026. The strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the agrochemical company's journey to strengthen its domestic brand business division and enhance its brand presence across India.

Strategic Brand Partnership

The collaboration aims to leverage Rohit Sharma's mass appeal and leadership stature to reach deeper into rural markets and connect with farmers across the 24 states where Dharmaj operates. Through this business endorsement, the company will drive impactful marketing and brand-building initiatives that resonate with the shared values of trust, performance, and consistency.

Management Commentary

Commenting on this milestone, Chairman and Managing Director Rameshbhai Talavia expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. He stated that the company is delighted to welcome Rohit Sharma to the Dharmaj family, noting how his winning spirit and connect with millions of Indians mirror their commitment to serving the farming community with dedication, trust, and quality products. Talavia emphasized that this collaboration will usher in a new phase of growth for their domestic brand business division.

Company Profile and Operations

Dharmaj Crop Guard Limited operates as a dynamic and fast-growing agrochemicals company engaged in manufacturing and marketing agrochemical formulations. The company's product portfolio includes:

• Insecticides
• Fungicides
• Herbicides
• Plant growth regulators
• Micro fertilizers

The company markets and distributes generic and licensed formulations to B2C customers (farmers) under its brands and to B2B customers (institutional). Additionally, Dharmaj is engaged in the business of general insect and pest control chemicals for public and animal health protection.

Recent Business Developments

The company recently entered active ingredients manufacturing to become an integrated player across the agrochemical value chain. This expansion includes an 8,000 TPA intermediates and technicals greenfield unit at Sayakha, which was commissioned in Q4FY24. This strategic move positions Dharmaj as a more comprehensive player in the agrochemical industry, enhancing its ability to serve customers across the entire value chain.

Rohit Sharma's collaboration with Dharmaj will play a pivotal role in the company's marketing and promotional campaigns, creating a stronger identity for its brands among farmers and channel partners nationwide. The partnership represents the company's continued commitment to redefining the crop protection segment with top-quality formulation, product performance, and ability to continually expand its portfolio.

Dharmaj Crop Guard Limited , a prominent player in the agrochemical sector, has recently received a Goods and Services Tax (GST) order imposing a substantial penalty of Rs 2,24,92,044. The order, issued by the Office of Commissioner Central GST & Central Excise, Ahmedabad, alleges wrongful Input Tax Credit (ITC) availment and product misclassification.

Key Points of the GST Order

The GST order outlines two main issues:

1. Wrongful ITC Availment: The order claims that Dharmaj Crop Guard wrongfully availed ITC on the purchase of a rooftop solar system during the audit period. The authorities propose to recover ITC amounting to Rs 15,86,956 (CGST Rs 7,93,478 and SGST Rs 7,93,478), along with interest and penalties.

2. Product Misclassification: The order alleges that the company misclassified certain products under incorrect HSN codes, resulting in short payment of tax. The proposed penalty for this is equivalent to the alleged tax short-paid, amounting to Rs 2,09,05,088.

Financial Implications and Company's Response

Despite the significant penalty amount, Dharmaj Crop Guard Limited has stated that there is no major financial implication on the company. The company disagrees with the findings and conclusions of the order, asserting that all actions were taken in good faith and in accordance with GST law provisions.

Company's Plan of Action

Dharmaj Crop Guard has announced its intention to file an appeal against the order. Key points include:

• The company will file an appeal in Form GST APL-01 before the Commissioner (Appeals), Central GST, Ahmedabad.
• The appeal will be filed within the prescribed period of ninety days from the date of communication of the order.
• The company maintains that the issues involved are purely interpretational, regarding the eligibility of ITC on the solar rooftop system and the classification of products.
• Dharmaj Crop Guard strongly disputes the invocation of Section 74 of the CGST Act, 2017.

Period Under Scrutiny

The GST audit covers the period from April 2018 to March 2024 (FY 2018-19 to FY 2023-24).

Market Impact

While the news of the GST penalty may cause some short-term concern among investors, the company's confident stance and immediate plan to appeal could help mitigate negative market reactions. Investors and stakeholders will likely keep a close watch on the developments of this case and its potential impact on Dharmaj Crop Guard's financial position and market standing.

As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial for the company to maintain transparency with its shareholders and the market at large, providing timely updates on the progress of its appeal and any subsequent developments in this matter.