Bayer, Crystal tie up to launch Curbix Pro & Kollar for Indian paddy growers

Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited came together in 2018 to embark on a collaborative project to enhance the productivity of Rice and Cotton farmers in India. Under this collaboration, Bayer provided Crystal access to newer innovations and Crystal based on their manufacturing and development strength helped bring new solutions to the Indian market.

Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited launched the product, Curbix Pro and Kollar respectively, to aid farmers in tackling plant hoppers, ensuring the best crop protection practices are implemented. Through this partnership, Bayer and Crystal have provided Indian farmers with solutions to build effective crop protection programs and create strong resistance against pests.

As India is the world's second-largest producer, and the largest exporter of rice, farmer needs and crop dynamics in India differs from the large-scale agricultural operations in western countries. One of the main reasons for crop loss in paddy cultivation is pest attacks.

Paddy fields essentially are infested by two types of paddy hoppers, Brown Plant Hopper, or White Backed Plant Hopper, which can lead to huge crop loss. To tackle this issue, Bayer and Crystal will provide farmers with an innovative product, having a unique combination of dual active ingredients against plant hoppers. With this dual action, farmers will be able to ensure lesser crop losses, leading to higher yields.

Speaking on the launch, Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka said, “The importance of rice to India and even the world’s food security needs cannot be overstated. What impacts rice, impacts the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. Our expertise lies in creating innovative solutions and in building collaborative ecosystems that help deliver the best value to our growers. Curbix Pro will surely be a significant value addition to our vast portfolio targeted at enhancing farmer yields and income.  

"It is another momentous occasion for us to successfully launch Kollar co-developed with Bayer Crop Science. This new offering is a milestone for Crystal’s enhancing R&D capabilities, which will support paddy farmers to enhance their profitability. With this, Crystal now has a very strong and value-driven portfolio for the full crop cycle of paddy crop," said Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director, Crystal Crop Protection Limited.