Godrej Agrovet Unveils 'Ashitaka': A Game-Changing Herbicide for Maize Crops
Godrej Agrovet has introduced 'Ashitaka', a new herbicide for maize crops, developed in collaboration with ISK Japan. The product targets effective weed control, particularly during early growth stages, to improve maize productivity. Ashitaka is designed to control both grasses and broad-leaved weeds when applied at the 2-4 weed leaf stage. Initially launched in Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, with plans for nationwide expansion. The herbicide aims to address challenges in India's maize sector, which ranks 4th globally in acreage and 5th in annual production.

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Godrej Agrovet Limited , a leading player in India's diversified agri-business sector, has made a significant move in the crop protection market with the launch of 'Ashitaka', a new herbicide specifically designed for maize crops. This innovative product, developed in collaboration with ISK Japan, aims to address one of the major challenges faced by maize farmers in India: effective weed control.
Tackling Weed Infestation in Maize Cultivation
Weed infestation, particularly during the initial growth phases, has been a significant factor impacting maize productivity in India. Ashitaka offers a powerful solution to this problem, providing effective control over both grasses and broad-leaved weeds when applied at the 2-4 weed leaf stage.
Strategic Importance for Indian Agriculture
The launch of Ashitaka comes at a crucial time for India's maize sector. As the country ranks 4th globally in terms of maize acreage and 5th in annual production, the demand for maize has been increasing steadily. This growth is driven by the expanding middle class and the rising need for animal protein, starch, and other industrial products that use maize.
Rajavelu NK, CEO of Godrej Agrovet's Crop Protection Business, emphasized the company's mission, stating, "At Godrej Agrovet, our mission is to deliver innovative, research-driven solutions that empower Indian farmers and uplift farming families by future-proofing agriculture against environmental and market challenges."
Key Features and Benefits of Ashitaka
- Effective Weed Control: Ashitaka is designed to reduce crop-weed competition, allowing for better utilization of soil moisture and nutrients.
- Support for Critical Growth Stages: The herbicide aids in plant health during crucial phases like flowering and grain filling.
- Optimal Dosage: The recommended application is 50 ml/acre with 400 ml/acre of surfactant at the 2-4 weed leaf stage.
- Yield Improvement: By controlling weeds early, Ashitaka helps in reducing weed-related yield losses, which are known to worsen under weather stress.
- Quality Enhancement: The product contributes to better grain quality and more consistent output.
Market Rollout and Future Plans
Godrej Agrovet has initially launched Ashitaka in key maize-growing areas of Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The company plans to expand the product's availability across all maize-growing states in India in the coming months.
Anil Choubey, GM – Marketing, Crop Protection Business at Godrej Agrovet, highlighted the product's potential impact, saying, "Ashitaka's effective weed control in maize reduces crop-weed competition, enabling better use of limited soil moisture and nutrients, and supporting plant health during critical stages like flowering and grain filling."
Addressing Broader Agricultural Challenges
The introduction of Ashitaka aligns with the need to address significant challenges in the maize sector, including limited access to quality seeds and inputs. Moreover, it comes at a time when climate change poses an additional threat to maize production through extreme weather events, changing rainfall patterns, and increased incidence of pests and diseases.
By providing farmers with this innovative herbicide, Godrej Agrovet aims to contribute to improved yields, enhanced profitability, and increased resilience in maize cultivation across India.
The launch of Ashitaka represents Godrej Agrovet's commitment to research-driven solutions in agriculture and its focus on empowering Indian farmers with cutting-edge crop protection technologies.
Historical Stock Returns for Godrej Agrovet
1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
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-1.05% | -0.61% | -7.93% | -0.25% | -6.92% | +52.05% |