Crystal Crop Protection launches Sikosa to protect paddy crops from weeds

Sikosa is powered by Banyan technology, which was jointly developed in collaboration with Battelle, UK Limited (“Battelle UK”) and Mitsui Agri-Science International SA/NV (“MASI”). The highly innovative technology for the first time, enables the formulation of liquid, chemically stable and highly efficacious sulfonylurea herbicides. It will be an exclusive offering by Crystal Crop Protection and will help farmers grow more profitable crops by attaining its maximum genetic potential.

"In this era of collaboration, Sikosa will be a great example of global collaboration in R&D based product introduction for Indian farmers. I am confident that this next generation herbicide will play a critical role in enhancing productivity in paddy crops. With this introduction, Crystal now has the widest range of products for the complete crop cycle of Paddy, " said Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director, Crystal Crop Protection Limited.

Sikosa was tested in various State Agri Universities with more than 1,000 demonstrations in the last 5 years with paddy farmers. Sikosa has been found effective in the control of narrow leaf weeds, broad leaf weeds and sedges.
Commenting on the launch, Battelle UK’s Darren Grafham, said,“This first product is expected to enhance the yields of paddy crops in India for the benefit of the farmers across the continent. We look forward to furthering our partnership with Crystal to bring innovations to India.

Crystal Crop Protection plans to introduce Sikosa for paddy growers in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh in coming season, which will further strengthen its Crystal’s presence in Paddy markets across India. The product will further strengthen the company’s paddy portfolio, which already has the industry’s leading brands like, Bavistin, Tilt, Blue Copper, Azotrix and recently launched Mentor.

Hidetoshi Nakamura of MASI further added,“We are proud to have discovered and developed with Battelle a breakthrough formulation technology. Our best-in-class formulation technology combined with Crystal’s expertise and extensive presence across India will allow Sikosa to rapidly become a leading paddy herbicide. “

Crystal Crop protection hopes to attain a market share of 2-3 percent in the first year of launch,which can grow up to 7-8 percent in the next couple of years. Sikosa is expected to increase Crystal Crop Protection's topline by 3-5 percent in years to come.

Driven by its in-house R&D, acquisition and collaboration with international players, the company has launched 14 products in the last two years and it is ready to launch six to seven more products shortly depending upon the grant of registrations by the regulatory authority.