Godrej Agrovet Limited, one of India’s leading diversified agribusiness companies, on Wednesday launched “Ashitaka”, a new herbicide developed in collaboration with ISK Japan.
The product, designed specifically for maize crops, is aimed at tackling grasses and broad-leaved weeds—one of the biggest challenges faced by farmers in improving crop yields.
Speaking at a press conference here, Rajavelu N K, CEO of the Crop Protection Business at Godrej Agrovet, said the introduction of Ashitaka marks a significant step towards empowering farmers with effective weed-control solutions.
He described the product as the first of its kind in India, offering farmers a powerful tool to enhance both productivity and profitability.
Weed infestation during the early stages of maize growth is a major factor that impacts yields. Rajavelu explained that Ashitaka works most effectively when applied at the 2–4 weed leaf stage. The recommended dosage is 50 ml per acre, combined with 400 ml of surfactant, which helps reduce weed-related yield losses that typically intensify under weather stress conditions.
He announced that Ashitaka will be available to farmers at Rs 1,800 per acre, inclusive of the surfactant pack. The product comes in a unique ready-to-use combination pack, simplifying the application process.
The company plans to supply the product from this month onwards, beginning with the kharif season. Target markets include Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, with plans to expand to other maize-growing regions.
Rajavelu said Ashitaka is safe for the soil, the crop, and applicators and has been tested in over 1,000 trials across different agro-climatic zones in India.
Highlighting the company’s growth outlook, he added that Godrej Agrovet expects the product to generate revenues of around Rs 200 crore over the next four to five years.
The herbicide is currently manufactured in Japan, formulated in the United States, and imported into India, though local production is under consideration in the coming years. Rajavelu also reiterated the importance of applying the product strictly at the 2–4 leaf stage for maximum effectiveness.
With this launch, Godrej Agrovet has further strengthened its crop protection portfolio, continuing its strategy of introducing patented and innovative solutions for Indian agriculture in partnership with global leaders.
