Insecticides (India) Limited introduces a novel granular insecticide offering extended protection against key paddy pests with single-stage application

Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL) has announced the launch of GRANUVIA, a next-generation, future-ready insecticide designed for Indian paddy cultivation. The company stated that GRANUVIA offers long-duration protection against two of the most destructive rice pests—brown plant hopper (BPH) and stem borer—addressing a persistent challenge that continues to impact rice productivity across major growing regions of the country.

According to the company, GRANUVIA delivers up to 60 days of effective control against brown plant hopper when applied at the recommended stage of 30–35 days after transplanting. In addition, it provides up to two weeks of protection against stem borer, particularly during the critical “dead heart” phase, which significantly affects plant health and yield potential. The product is positioned as a single, convenient intervention aimed at reducing repeated spray cycles and improving overall crop management efficiency.

Pest pressure in paddy cultivation has remained a major concern for Indian farmers. The company highlighted that last year, early and prolonged outbreaks of brown plant hopper affected millions of acres across several states, forcing farmers to undertake multiple rounds of pesticide application. In severe cases, BPH infestations are known to cause yield losses ranging from 20 per cent to 60 per cent, severely impacting farm income and productivity stability.

Similarly, stem borer continues to be a major yield-limiting pest in rice cultivation, typically causing losses between 10 per cent and 30 per cent, with severe infestations leading to “dead heart” conditions that compromise plant vigor and reduce productive tillers. IIL stated that GRANUVIA has been developed to provide sustained protection during these vulnerable stages of crop development.

Commenting on the launch, Rajesh Kumar Aggarwal said that rising pest pressure and changing climatic conditions are making it increasingly important for farmers to have reliable and easy-to-use solutions. He added that GRANUVIA represents a next-generation innovation designed to deliver consistent, long-term pest control while improving crop health and productivity, particularly against brown plant hopper and stem borer during critical growth stages.

Dushyant Sood noted that the product has been developed by Corteva Agriscience and will be exclusively supplied to Insecticides (India) Limited under the GRANUVIA brand. He described it as a future-ready solution for modern rice farming, supported by novel modes of action, superior field performance, and farmer-friendly application methods. He further emphasized that the product is designed to strengthen pest management practices and improve productivity in India’s paddy ecosystem.

Manoj Singh Bhandari highlighted GRANUVIA as a practical solution for modern farmers, noting that its advanced granular formulation simplifies application and reduces operational effort. He said the product aligns with existing farmer practices such as broadcasting through sand or urea mix, while delivering extended pest protection and reducing the need for repeated interventions. According to him, this enables farmers to safeguard yields, improve crop vigor, and achieve more stable harvest outcomes even under rising pest and climate pressures.

The company further stated that GRANUVIA is recommended for application during the 30–35 days after transplanting stage, when paddy crops are most susceptible to pest attacks. Its simple broadcasting method makes it easy to adopt in field conditions, ensuring wider accessibility and operational convenience for farmers. The product’s extended protection window is expected to help reduce crop stress, improve tillering, and support healthier plant development throughout the early growth cycle.

IIL added that extensive field demonstrations have been conducted to validate the performance of GRANUVIA, where large groups of farmers observed improved pest control outcomes, enhanced crop greenness, stronger tillering, and better overall plant vigor. The company said the response from farmers has been positive, particularly in terms of ease of use and effectiveness in managing brown plant hopper and stem borer infestations under real field conditions.