BASF Launches Valexio, Mibelya for Indian Rice Farmers
Why in the news
BASF brought two crop protection products to Indian rice farmers to lift yield and quality amid climate stress.
Key facts
| Product | Type | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Valexio | Insecticide | Rice hoppers, a major pest |
| Mibelya | Fungicide | Sheath blight disease |
- Valexio has no known cross-resistance, long residual control, action on all damaging hopper life stages and plant health benefits.
Significance
- India: second-largest rice producer, over 100 million metric tons a year, about 40% of world rice trade.
- Erratic weather, drought and pests have cut yields; the products aim to offset this.