Godrej Agrovet launches Ashitaka and TAKAI for maize farmers in Madhya Pradesh

~ Ashitaka, a maize herbicide, controls grasses and broad‑leaved weeds
~ TAKAI, a multi-crop insecticide, is effective against Fall Armyworm in maize
~ Developed in collaboration with ISK Japan

Jabalpur: In line with the start of the maize sowing season and rising pest and weed challenges in central India, Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), one of India’s leading diversified agri-businesses, today announced the launch of Ashitaka and TAKAI - two advanced crop care solutions tailored for maize farmers in Madhya Pradesh, developed in collaboration with ISK Japan.

Madhya Pradesh is one of India’s key maize-growing states, with over 15 lakh hectares under maize cultivation, making it among the largest contributors to the country’s maize production. However, productivity in the state remains relatively low at around 2.8 MT/Ha, well below global benchmarks. This gap is largely driven by challenges such as early-stage weed infestation, which can reduce yields by 25–30% under field conditions, and pest attacks like Fall Armyworm, which can cause similar yield losses and significantly higher damage in severe cases.

Commenting on the launch, N.K. Rajavelu, CEO – Crop Care Business, Godrej Agrovet, said,
“At Godrej Agrovet, our focus is on delivering research-driven solutions that address real challenges faced by farmers on the ground. Madhya Pradesh is a key maize-growing state, and the launch of Ashitaka and TAKAI reinforces our commitment to supporting farmers with effective and reliable crop care solutions. By addressing both weed and pest pressures across the crop cycle, these solutions will help improve productivity, enhance resilience, and enable more stable farm incomes.”

The launch of Ashitaka comes at a critical time, when effective weed management is essential for strong crop establishment. Ashitaka is a selective herbicide for maize that provides effective control over grasses and broad‑leaved weeds. When applied at the 2–4 weed leaf stage at a recommended dosage of 50 ml/acre with 400 ml/acre of surfactant, Ashitaka reduces crop‑weed competition, enabling better use of soil moisture and nutrients and supporting healthy crop growth during key stages.

To address pest challenges, Godrej Agrovet has also introduced TAKAI, a multi-crop insecticide powered by advanced Cyclapryn™ technology developed by ISK Japan. TAKAI is highly effective against Fall Armyworm, a major pest known to cause significant yield losses in maize. When applied during the vegetative stage at 160 ml/acre, TAKAI delivers rapid feeding cessation and long-lasting protection, helping safeguard crop health and improve yield stability.

Together, Ashitaka and TAKAI act as complementary crop care solutions for maize farmers, addressing both weed and pest pressures across the crop cycle and enabling more consistent and profitable outcomes.

Anil Choubey, GM – Marketing, Crop Care Business, Godrej Agrovet, added, “Ashitaka and TAKAI are designed to work together as complementary solutions for maize farmers. While Ashitaka ensures effective early-stage weed control for better crop establishment, TAKAI provides targeted protection against pests like Fall Armyworm during critical growth stages. This integrated approach helps reduce yield losses, improves crop health, and enables farmers to achieve more consistent and higher-quality output.”

With these launches, Godrej Agrovet continues to strengthen its portfolio by bringing proven, globally benchmarked technologies closer to Indian farmers and supporting more efficient and resilient agricultural practices.

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