The cutting-edge solution is designed to combat two of the most devastating pests in paddy cultivation — Stem Borer and Leaf Folder.
Kolkata based Tropical Agro, a pioneer in agri-input innovation, has unveiled a game-changing breakthrough – Tag Stem Lee, a patented, first-of-its-kind granular insecticide powered by three active ingredients. This cutting-edge solution is designed to combat two of the most devastating pests in paddy cultivation — Stem Borer and Leaf Folder — which continue to significantly impact rice productivity across India.
Rice stem borer infestations in India cause substantial economic losses, with yield reductions ranging from 10 per cent to 40 per cent. Their damage is most severe in the form of ‘dead heart’ during the vegetative stage and ‘white earhead’ during the reproductive stage. Studies indicate that just 1% dead heart can lead to a 0.3 per cent yield loss (approx. 12 kg/ha), while 1% white earhead can result in a 4.2 per cent yield loss (around 183 kg/ha).
Similarly, rice leaf folder infestations can reduce yields by 30 per cent to 80 per cent, posing a serious threat to productivity. These challenges highlight the urgent need for effective and long-lasting pest control solutions to safeguard food security and protect farmer livelihoods. With the Second Advance Estimates projecting 136.437 million metric tonnes (MMT) of rice output for India in 2024–25 (Kharif and Rabi), the urgency for smarter pest solutions has never been higher.
Tag Stem Lee addresses this need with a dual-action, triple-protection formula, delivering superior pest control with just 2 kg per acre. It effectively eliminates key symptoms like Dead Heart and White Earhead, ensuring long-lasting protection and sustainable results with minimal environmental impact. The product is easy to apply—simply mix with FYM (farmyard manure) or sand and broadcast — making it ideal for widespread adoption across both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
Commenting on the launch, V. K. Jhaver, Founder, Tropical Agrosystem (India) Pvt. Ltd., stated: “At Tropical Agro, we are committed to pioneering innovations that help farmers overcome challenges and shape a stronger agricultural future for India. Tag Stem Lee is a major leap forward in offering smarter, safer, and more sustainable crop protection. This patented innovation is only the beginning — many more transformative solutions are in the pipeline.”
R. Shanmuga Sai, Vice President – Sales, Tropical Agrosystem (India) Pvt. Ltd., said, “What sets Tag Stem Lee apart is not just its unique three-active-ingredient formulation, but also its effectiveness at a low dosage and ease of application. It holds immense promise for improving farmer outcomes, particularly in rice-producing states”.
