Crystal India launches Sikosa to protect rice crops from weeds

 Crystal Crop Protection, a leading agrochemical company in India, has launched a new generation of herbicide Sikosa in the country to protect rice crops from weeds and help farmers increase the profitability of rice farms.

Sikosa uses Banyan technology, which was developed in partnership with Battelle UK Limited(Battelle UK) and Mitsui AgriScience International SA/NV(MASI, Mitsui & Co. 's Belgian subsidiary). Banyan is a highly innovative formulation technology that enables the formulation of chemically stable and effective SU herbicides. Sikosa will be Crystal's exclusive product to help farmers grow more profitable crops by harnessing their maximum genetic potential. Over the past five years, Sikosa has conducted more than 1,000 demonstration tests at several state agricultural universities, demonstrating its effectiveness in controlling narrow-leaf weeds, broadleaf weeds and sedges.

Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of Crystal, said: "Sikosa will be a model for global collaboration to bring R&D based products to Indian farmers. It is believed that Sikosa, as a new generation herbicide, will play a key role in improving the yield of rice crops. With this launch, Crystal will have the broadest range of products available for the entire growth cycle of rice.”

Darren Grafham, Battelle UK, said: "We are delighted to see the Banyan technology developed with MASI being applied and brought to market through our partner in India, Crystal. The first product is expected to increase the yield of the rice crop in India, benefiting farmers across Africa. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with Crystal to bring innovation to India."

Hidetoshi Nakamura of MASI further added, "We are proud to work with Battelle to develop a groundbreaking formulation technology. Our best-in-class formulation technology, combined with Crystal's expertise and extensive market presence in India, has helped Sikosa quickly become the leading rice herbicide.

Crystal plans to launch Sikosa next season for rice farmers in the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, further strengthening Crystal's presence in rice markets across India. It also strengthens Crystal's rice portfolio. Crystal already has industry-leading brands such as Bavistin, Tilt, Blue Copper, Azotrix, and the recently launched Mentor.

Crystal hopes to gain 2-3% market share in the first year of the product's launch, growing to 7-8% in the following years. Sikosa expects to increase Crystal's revenue by 3-5% over the next few years. Driven by its internal research and development, acquisitions and partnerships with international players, Crystal has launched 14 products in the past two years and is preparing to launch six or seven more soon after regulatory approval for registration.