FMC launches Galaxy®NXT in India, a new soybean herbicide

 FMC recently launched its drone spraying service in Madhya Pradesh, India, along with its new herbicide Galaxy®NXT for soybean crops. Soybean is one of the most cultivated crops in India, as a high-value oil crop, mainly found in rain-fed agro-ecosystems in central and peninsular India. Madhya Pradesh is the largest growing state in India.

Galaxy®NXT is a patented and innovative herbicide that incorporates a dual action mode to effectively control gramineous, broadleaf and difficult-to-remove weeds in soybeans, including bamboo, duckgrass and amaranth.FMC will distribute the product in Sehore, Ujjain, Indore, Dhar, Ratlam, Sagar, chindwara, Guna and Ashok Nagar in Madhya Pradesh.

The new herbicide and drone spraying service was launched in Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh, at a ceremony attended by Mark Douglas, President and CEO, and Pramod Thota, President, Asia Pacific. Over the next three months, the company expects to roll out its self-propelled boom spraying service across India in field demonstrations that have already been successfully conducted in farmers' fields.

The General Directorate of Civil Aviation, the government agency that oversees air transport services in India, has approved FMC's drone service, which could increase agricultural productivity while reducing the need for manual labor. Agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide better control over the uniformity and coverage of pesticide spraying and improve the accuracy of plant protection products, such as the Coragen® and Benevia® insecticides. Each drone can spray three to four acres in 15 minutes, making the job easier and more efficient.

Using drones will also protect farmers from risks such as dehydration and heat stroke. FMC India has been running customised training programmes for farmers to promote the optimal use of resources in planting. Use the service to select a language through the FMC India Farmer application for easy access.

Ravi Annavarapu, President of FMC India, said: “FMC's project is in line with the Indian government's inclusive reform of airborne UAVs and other spray services to modernize the country's agriculture. Adoption of technology is essential for crop protection and food security. India is at the forefront of innovative food systems, with Madhya Pradesh being a market-driven, farmer-centric, technology adopter and one of the first places where FMC was able to introduce its spray service. We are committed to providing opportunities and training for rural entrepreneurship. At the same time, we provide innovative solutions for soybean production before the harvest season and will continue to contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in Madhya Pradesh.

Annavarapu added: "While India aspires to self-sufficiency and has food sovereignty at its core, FMC shares the same development-oriented mindset and commitment to agricultural sustainability. Through the drone spraying service, farmers in Madhya Pradesh are able to use our insecticide products on a variety of crops and we will continue to provide customized services in India to meet the requirements of our partners.