For a long time, weed control has been a persistent challenge for Indian maize farmers, significantly impacting crop yields. Recently, Godrej Agrovet Limited, in collaboration with Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. (ISK Japan), launched its first specialized herbicide product for maize – "Ashitaka" (Tolpyralate 40% SC). This innovative solution aims to provide robust support to India's rapidly growing maize industry, effectively managing highly destructive grassy and broadleaf weeds during the early growth stages of maize. With the continuous expansion of maize cultivation area in India, the precise application of "Ashitaka" at the 2-4 leaf stage of weeds is expected to significantly improve weed control efficacy.

Maize: A Key Strategic Crop for India's Agricultural Transformation

Indian agriculture has historically relied heavily on rice and wheat, which have played irreplaceable roles in ensuring national food security, sustaining farmers' livelihoods, and supporting the public procurement system. However, current challenges such as depleting groundwater resources, unstable monsoon rainfall patterns, and pressures from increasing food surpluses are posing severe sustainability threats to this traditional cereal-dominated agricultural development model. In this context, agricultural diversification has become an imperative for India's agricultural development, and maize, as a versatile strategic crop, is gaining increasing prominence.

The value of maize extends far beyond traditional grains. It is not only an indispensable feed ingredient for the poultry industry but also plays a crucial role in the industrial sector, providing raw materials for starch, ethanol, and various processed foods and brewing industries. Currently, India ranks fourth globally in maize cultivation area and fifth in annual production. Despite its vast scale, the average maize yield in India is only about 3 tons per hectare, significantly lower than that of the United States (less than one-third) and China. This substantial yield gap urgently needs to be addressed.

This yield discrepancy has profound implications for India's overall economy. The projected domestic demand for maize is 51.3 million tons, while current production is estimated at only 34.25 million tons. This huge supply-demand gap signals a strong need for imports. Under the existing import tariff policies, this will inevitably drive up maize prices. With the Indian government actively promoting ethanol blending policies and vigorously developing the livestock sector, the urgency to increase maize production has never been greater.

Seasonal Yield Disparities Highlight Production Potential

Data indicates that approximately 70% of India's maize is cultivated during the monsoon (Kharif) season; however, the average yield during this season is the lowest, at just 2.9 tons per hectare. In contrast, maize cultivated during the dry (Rabi) season yields an average of 5 tons per hectare, and summer-grown maize yields about 4.4 tons. Such significant seasonal yield disparities not only reflect a substantial loss of maize production potential but also underscore the urgent need to enhance food security and improve farmers' economic well-being through technological innovation.

Among numerous factors affecting yield, weed infestation is often underestimated, yet its destructive potential is considerable. During the early growth stages of maize, weeds intensely compete with young plants for soil nutrients, water, and sunlight. If weed management is inadequate, maize yield losses can be as high as 70%. Traditional weed control methods, such as manual weeding or using generic herbicides, often suffer from inconsistent efficacy, high labor intensity, or excessive economic burden on smallholder farmers, making weed control a hidden bottleneck for the development of India's maize industry.

Redefining Maize Weed Management Strategies

Current policy discussions regarding maize development in India often focus on macro-level issues such as seed policies, procurement incentives, or ethanol blending targets. While these topics are undoubtedly important, an undeniable reality is that if maize crops are severely threatened by weeds in their early growth stages, then even the best varieties, most efficient irrigation systems, or most favorable market prices will struggle to deliver their full benefits. Therefore, effective weed management is not merely a simple agronomic detail but a critical strategic lever for boosting national agricultural productivity.

It is based on this profound understanding that Godrej Agrovet and ISK Japan entered into a deep collaboration to launch "Ashitaka," a new-generation herbicide specifically designed for maize. This product, an HPPD-inhibitor herbicide, effectively controls both grassy and broadleaf weeds when applied at the 2-4 leaf stage of maize, while demonstrating proven crop safety. By enabling precise early-stage weed control, "Ashitaka" ensures that maize plants can establish robust root systems, effectively conserve soil moisture, and optimize nutrient uptake. This not only makes maize a more reliable cultivation choice for smallholder farmers but also provides a more stable supply of raw materials for related industries, thereby offering strong support for India's agricultural diversification strategy.

The unique value of "Ashitaka" lies in its strong alignment with the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Effective maize protection has never relied on a single technology but requires the coordinated efforts of multiple measures: promoting superior hybrid varieties to enhance genetic resistance, employing cultivation techniques such as crop rotation to reduce disease risk, and timely chemical interventions to address sudden threats. Within this integrated system, "Ashitaka" plays a crucial role by addressing the long-overlooked but significantly impactful problem of weed infestation. If weed control is neglected, the efficacy of other IPM measures will be significantly diminished.

Building a Future-Oriented Crop Protection Industry Ecosystem

The successful launch of "Ashitaka" marks a significant advancement in the transformation and upgrading of Godrej Agrovet's crop protection business. According to the company, it is actively expanding its product portfolio to meet the needs of different growing seasons and has established a robust product pipeline encompassing both technology acquisition and in-house research and development. This "global collaboration + indigenous innovation" dual-engine approach aims to ensure that Indian farmers have access to solutions that are both world-class and tailored to local needs.

Leveraging its established market leadership in cotton herbicides, Godrej Agrovet has set a development goal of launching at least one new product annually, with rice insecticide products currently under accelerated development within its pipeline. Beyond chemical pesticides, the company is also actively exploring biological control products such as pheromones, committed to advancing sustainable crop protection technologies. Simultaneously, initiatives such as the "Hello Godrej!" farmer service platform, digital tool applications, and drone technology pilot projects further strengthen deep connections with end-users. Through the organic combination of innovation-driven development, strategic partnerships, and market promotion, Godrej Agrovet's crop protection business is positioning itself as a long-term partner in India's agricultural modernization process.

Towards a New Era of Maize Industry Development

The imperative for transforming India's maize industry extends beyond mere agriculture, becoming a comprehensive issue involving policy formulation and economic development. With the government actively promoting ethanol blending policies, focusing on improving nutritional security, and striving to build a resilient rural economy, the strategic importance of the maize industry is increasingly evident. As a vital crop capable of balancing food, feed, and industrial raw material demands, maize offers valuable opportunities for achieving sustainable agricultural development. To fully unleash the potential of the maize industry, systemic improvements are required across all links of the entire value chain, including seed breeding, irrigation facilities, and pest and disease control.

The future development of Indian agriculture cannot continue to rely solely on increasing the production of rice and wheat. A new round of growth momentum must come from building a diversified crop system, exemplified by maize. These crops not only provide farmers with greater resilience but also hold significant national strategic value. By systematically addressing key technical challenges such as weed management, maize can potentially be transformed from a relatively inefficient crop into a vital pillar of India's agricultural economy. The future landscape of Indian agriculture will no longer be defined solely by traditional cereal crops but by whether emerging strategic crops can be effectively cultivated and fully utilized.