By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : May 24, 2025 9:27 am
Hokko Chemical has partnered with Dhanuka in co-developing the new formulation
Dhanuka Agritech Limited has launched its latest herbicide, DINKAR, specially developed for transplanted paddy crops. The new product is positioned as a game-changer for rice farmers grappling with persistent and costly weed problems during the early stages of crop development.
The launch event in Tirupati was marked by the presence of Shinichi Hayakawa San, Senior Managing Director, and Kohichi Ogita San, Manager of the International Sales Division from Hokko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan. Hokko Chemical, a reputed agrochemical innovator, has partnered with Dhanuka in co-developing the new formulation. Also gracing the occasion was Rahul Dhanuka, Managing Director of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, who underlined the company’s broader mission of empowering farmers through effective, safe, and science-backed solutions.
Speaking at the event, Rahul Dhanuka emphasized that “DINKAR is more than just a new product — it’s a reflection of our deep understanding of the rice grower’s challenges. From stubborn weeds to labour shortages, we are addressing what truly matters to the farmer.”
Designed using ipfencarbazone, a triazolinone chemistry from Hokko Japan, DINKAR acts by inhibiting Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACCase), an enzyme critical for fatty acid biosynthesis in weeds. This biochemical disruption leads to cellular breakdown in target plants, ensuring that weeds are eliminated at an early stage — even before they emerge.
Amit Mishra, Portfolio Manager – Herbicides at Dhanuka, explained that DINKAR provides broad-spectrum and long-duration control of some of the most stubborn and yield-threatening weeds. These include species such as Echinochloa crusgalli (barnyard grass), Ludwigia parviflora, Eclipta alba, Ammania baccifera, and sedges like Cyperus iria and Cyperus difformis. Its control duration ranges from 45 to 50 days, significantly reducing the need for repeat applications and lowering overall input costs for farmers.
The product’s performance was validated during the event through testimonials such as that of Shri Srinivas, a progressive farmer from Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. Sharing his first-hand experience with DINKAR in front of company representatives and channel partners, he stated that the herbicide offered visibly cleaner fields with minimal effort, boosting both his confidence and yield prospects.