Kolkata, February 27, 2026: Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), one of India’s leading diversified agri-businesses, has launched a new multi-crop insecticide TAKAI. Powered by CyclaprynTM technology developed by ISK Japan, TAKAI offers quick control and longer-lasting protection against major lepidopteran pests viz ‘caterpillar-type’ insects that damages crop thereby helping farmers improve overall crop health. The company has received label approval for Rice, Maize, Chickpea and Soybean, while label expansion approvals for Cabbage and Chilli crops are currently awaited.
In West Bengal -widely known as the “Rice Bowl of India” with nearly 15 million tonnes of annual rice production – lepidopteran pests pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity and farmer incomes. In rice, yellow stem borer and leaf folder infestations can cause 20–40% yield losses during severe outbreaks, while maize crops face 25–30% damage from fall armyworm, escalating up to 60–65% in extreme cases. Soybean yields are reduced by 20–30% due to Spodoptera litura and semiloopers, and vegetable crops such as chilli and cabbage commonly suffer 15–30% losses from similar pest attacks. With pests, diseases, and weeds emerging as major constraints, protecting crops through timely and effective management is critical to sustaining West Bengal’s farm economy and food security.
N.K. Rajavelu, CEO – Crop Protection Business, Godrej Agrovet, said “Effective pest management determines the success of the Indian farmer. Through TAKAI, we intend to enable farmers to protect their crops from pest attacks by offering them a solution that delivers rapid feeding cessation and sustained pest control over a longer duration. In a state like West Bengal, where rice and other key crops are cultivated across multiple seasons and are highly vulnerable to infestations, timely intervention becomes even more critical. This approach helps farmers optimise input costs and secure more stable, higher-quality yields.”
He added, “At Godrej Agrovet, our endeavour is to deliver crop protection solutions that address environmental and market challenges faced by our farmers. Today’s launch of TAKAI is in sync with our strategy of strengthening our portfolio across key crops by leveraging our research-expertise and strong on-ground reach that empower farmers and uplift farming families.”
Rice, being a multi-season crop – Kharif, Rabi and Summer, is grown in warm, humid and water-logged conditions making it ideal for pest attacks throughout the year. In the early critical stage, i.e. vegetative stage during 15-30 DAT, Stem Borer damages the plant and makes it difficult for farmers to detect early. Later at reproductive stage during 40-60 DAT, both Stem Borer and Leaf Folder attack the plant. Leaf Folder feeds on the leaf tissue by folding the leaves thereby reducing the plant’s photosynthetic area and hence crop growth. It is at these stages that TAKAI should be applied at a dose of 160 ml when the crop is 15-30 days old and again at 40-60 DAT.
For other crops also, only one dosage of 160 ml of TAKAI is recommended.
With the launch TAKAI today and a maize herbicide ASHITAKA last year, Godrej Agrovet reinforces its commitment to building a more productive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural ecosystem through innovation and farmer-led product development.
