Powered by Cyclapryn technology developed by ISK Japan. Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/ BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, February
27, 2026: Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet),
one of India's leading diversified agri-
businesses, has launched a new multi-crop
insecticide TAKAI. Powered by Cyclapryn™ technology developed by ISK Japan,
TAKAI offers quick control and longer-lasting protection against major
lepidopteran pests viz 'caterpillar-type' insects that damages crop thereby
helping farmers improve overall crop health. The company has received label
approval for Rice, Maize, Chickpea and Soybean, while label expansion approvals
for Cabbage and Chilli crops are currently awaited.
In West Bengal -widely known as the
"Rice Bowl of India" with nearly 15 million tonnes of annual rice
production - lepidopteran pests pose a significant threat to agricultural
productivity and farmer incomes. In rice, yellow stem borer and leaf folder
infestations can cause 20-40% yield losses during severe outbreaks, while maize
crops face 25-30% damage from fall armyworm, escalating up to 60-65% in extreme
cases. Soybean yields are reduced by 20-30% due to Spodoptera litura and
semiloopers, and vegetable crops such as chilli and cabbage commonly suffer
15-30% losses from similar pest attacks. With pests, diseases, and weeds
emerging as major constraints, protecting crops through timely and effective
management is critical to sustaining West Bengal's farm economy and food
security.
N.K. Rajavelu, CEO Crop Protection
Business, Godrej Agrovet, said "Effective pest management determines the
success of the Indian farmer. Through TAKAI, we intend to enable farmers to
protect their crops from pest attacks by offering them a solution that delivers
rapid feeding cessation and sustained pest control over a longer duration. In a
state like West Bengal, where rice and other key crops are cultivated across
multiple seasons and are highly vulnerable to infestations, timely intervention
becomes even more critical. This approach helps farmers optimise input costs
and secure more stable, higher-quality yields."
He added, "At Godrej Agrovet, our
endeavour is to deliver crop protection solutions that address environmental
and market challenges faced by our farmers. Today's launch of TAKAI is in sync
with our strategy of strengthening our portfolio across key crops by leveraging
our research-expertise and strong on-ground reach that empower farmers and
uplift farming families."
Rice, being a multi-season crop - Kharif,
Rabi and Summer, is grown in warm, humid and water-logged conditions making it
ideal for pest attacks throughout the year. In the early critical stage, i.e.
vegetative stage during 15-30 DAT, Stem Borer damages the plant and makes it
difficult for farmers to detect early. Later at reproductive stage during 40-60
DAT, both Stem Borer and Leaf. Folder attack the plant. Leaf Folder feeds on
the leaf tissue by folding the leaves thereby reducing the plant's
photosynthetic area and hence crop growth. It is at these stages that TAKAI
should be applied at a dose of 160 ml when the crop is 15-30 days old and again
at 40-60 DAT.
For other crops also, only one dosage of
160 ml of TAKAI is recommended.
With the launch TAKAI today and a maize
herbicide ASHITAKA last year, Godrej Agrovet reinforces its commitment to
building a more productive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural ecosystem
through innovation and farmer-led product development.