Insecticides (India) Limited is endeavouring to reduce its dependence on China. In this regard, it has decided to create chief intermediates in India.
As per a statement by the Managing Director of IIL, Rajesh Aggarwal, “At present we are importing about 30-35 per cent of the raw material from China. We are planning to produce it locally. When we set up our plant for the intermediates by the end of this calendar year, we would be able to reduce their imports by 7-8 per cent.”
First intermediate: Lambda cyhalothrin
Lambda Cyhalothrin is a broad spectrum insecticide that produces contact and stomach action on a wide range of crop pests. It is available in a range of formulation grades for different crops. Its quick knockdown activity is appreciable. It also has a repellent and anti-feedant property that makes it a good choice for effective pest management in crops.
It is used to control a broad range of coleopteran and lepidopeteran insects, bollworms, thrips, jassids, leaf rollers, gall midge, stem borers, and others. It moderately affects sucking pests. This insecticide also has public health application.
Second intermediate: Thiamethoxam
Thiamethoxam is a systemic insecticide with broad spectrum working. Systemic means it is absorbed by plants readily and transported to all parts, including pollen. This deters feeding by insects. It produces contact and stomach action in pests and is used to control a wide range of sucking pests.
The insecticide effectively controls thrips, leaf folder, gall midge, stem borer, green leaf hopper, white blacked plant hopper, brown plant hopper, jassides, aphids, white flies, and others.
“We plan to manufacture both the intermediates in India by the end of this calendar year,” says Aggarwal.
This comes as good news, especially in the wake of PM Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan that strives to make India self-sufficient.
(Source of MD’s quotes: Business Line)
