By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : August 20, 2025 9:54 pm
When applied at the 2 - 4 weed leaf stage, Ashitaka offers effective weed control
Godrej Agrovet Limited, one of India's leading diversified agri-businesses, has launched a new herbicide specifically designed for Maize crops. 'Ashitaka,' developed in collaboration with ISK Japan. ISK Japan is an innovative solution that provides effective control over grasses and broad-leaved weeds which is a major challenge faced by maize farmers in India.
Weed infestation particularly during the initial growth phases, significantly impact Maize productivity. When applied at the 2 - 4 weed leaf stage, Ashitaka offers effective weed control.
Speaking on the launch, Rajavelu NK, CEO, Crop Protection Business, Godrej Agrovet said, "At Godrej Agrovet, our mission is to deliver innovative, research-driven solutions that empower Indian farmers and uplift farming families by future-proofing agriculture against environmental and market challenges. Effective weed management during the early stages of crop growth is crucial for maize farmers to achieve better productivity. The launch of Ashitaka, a first-of-its-kind in India, is a step toward providing farmers with a powerful solution to improve yields and enhance profitability."
Anil Choubey, GM - Marketing, Crop Protection Business, Godrej Agrovet added, "Ashitaka's effective weed control in maize reduces crop-weed competition, enabling better use of limited soil moisture and nutrients, and supporting plant health during critical stages like flowering and grain filling. The recommended dosage - 50 ml/acre with 400 ml/acre of surfactant at the 2 - 4 weed leaf stage, helps in controlling the weeds early and also aids in the reduction of weed-related yield losses, which are known to worsen under weather stress. This results in more consistent output, better grain quality, and a strong hedge against income volatility, particularly in rain-fed areas."
Launched in key maize growing areas of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to begin with, Godrej Agrovet intends to launch Ashitaka across all maize growing states in the coming months.