 "Insecticides India launches eco-friendly herbicide Green Label")
The New Delhi-based agrochemicals major Insecticides India Ltd (IIL) has launched a new post-emergence herbicide Green Label, manufactured in India for the first time using advanced technology. Green Label contains active ingredient bispyribac sodium 10% SC, which is a broad spectrum systemic herbicide. Though this is an off-patent product, it is currently imported from Japan.
Green Label is safe for the environment as this is based on the new advanced SC formulation utilising inputs that are safe as per EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, USA) guidelines. The new product is essentially designed for paddy crop and can be used for all kinds of paddy cultivation, ie nursery, transplanted paddy and direct seeded rice.
“Paddy contributes a significant share of crop in Indian agriculture. However, problem of weeds is huge in all parts of the country. These weeds compete with the crop and share their nutrients, food, space and light, which reduce the crop growth and yield. Green Label is used at the 2-5 leaf stage of the weeds, and provides effective control of most of the grassy, sedges and broad leaf weeds of rice crop. This product was imported from Japan till date. Manufacturing it indigenously will make it cost effective and the company plans to transfer this benefit to the Indian farmers. The product will now be in the reach of smaller and marginal farmers as well,” said Rajesh Aggarwal, managing director, Insecticides India Limited.
Herbicides market in India is estimated at about Rs 3750 crore - accounting for about 25 percent of the total crop protection market, which is about Rs 15000 crore. Insecticides India aims to generate Rs 100 crore revenue from Green Label by targeting the post-emergence herbicide market, which accounts for approximately Rs 600 crore.
“We are very excited and we look forward to this product for increasing our top line as well. This is a selective post emergence herbicide so can be used only in the areas where the weeds are and has no adverse effect on paddy crop. This product provides a comparative longer time of application as compared to other herbicides. We plan to launch 3-4 more products this year.” added Rajesh Aggarwal.
With an aim to be able to reach to the last farmer of the country, IIL would launch this product in all parts of the country, however major markets of the product are regions of Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka being the main paddy growing states.