Godrej Agrovet Limited’s Biostimulant, Double, Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering Indian Farmers
Pune, 14 June 2023: Godrej Agrovet Limited’s (GAVL) Crop Protection Business proudly announces the 25th anniversary of its biostimulant, Double, which has significantly contributed to improving crop yields for Indian farmers. Over the past quarter-century, Double has been used to treat approximately 3 Crore acres of farmland in India, benefiting around 2 Crore farming families. In commemoration of this milestone, the company has launched a special celebratory pack, emphasizing its commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and protecting farmers from counterfeit products.
The new pack for Double has been designed with user-friendliness and safety in mind. It features a tamper-evident seal that bursts open and falls when anyone attempts to open the bottle. The label incorporates complex watermarks to prevent duplication, and each bottle includes a hologram with a unique 9-digit code to ensure authenticity. Furthermore, the hologram cleverly embeds the letter ‘G’ to reassure customers of the product’s genuineness. For the visually impaired, the bottle now includes Braille markings on the neck indicating danger.
Double, a biostimulant, plays a vital role in reducing flower drops and fruit shedding in cotton, soybean, groundnut, and tomato crops. Flower drops and fruit shedding can cause yield losses of 15%-25% for farmers. By implementing proper farming practices and using the correct dosage of Double, farmers can increase their yields. In the case of cotton, Double promotes better fertilization, leading to improved seed setting and stronger pod development. On average, two applications of Double can enhance yields by 18%-20%. Similarly, applying Double to soybean and groundnut crops helps overcome fertilization barriers, reduces flower dropping, and improves pod setting, resulting in yield increases of 30%-35% and 10%-12% respectively. In the case of tomatoes, Double enhances pollen viability and flower-to-fruit conversion, reducing flower dropping and
increasing the number of fruits per plant. This leads to uniform size, color, and improved fruit weight, with yield improvements ranging from 15%-18%.
Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director of GAVL, expressed his thoughts on Double’s 25th anniversary, stating, “Double was introduced with the objective of helping farmers increase their crop yields. Over the years, we have impacted the lives of approximately 2 Crore Indian farmers, resulting in an average 18% increase in their yields and income. We firmly believe that when used in the proper quantity and at the right time, Double can further enhance farmers’ yields and income while ensuring food security for our nation.”
GAVL began extensive research on Homobrassinolide (HBR), a key ingredient in Double, back in 1992. Recognizing its potential in improving cell division and elongation in crops, the company launched Double in 1998, allowing farmers to benefit from its unique properties. In addition to reducing flower drop and fruit shedding, Double also enhances a crop’s ability to withstand abiotic and biotic stresses.
Abiotic stresses encompass factors like temperature, ultraviolet radiation, salinity, floods, and drought, which negatively impact crop plants. Biotic stresses refer to damage caused by insects, herbivores, fungi, bacteria, or weeds.
Burjis Godrej, Executive Director of GAVL, emphasized the significance of biostimulants by stating that climate change is responsible for 70% of the global yield gap. India is also facing adverse effects of rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, leading to reduced crop yields and increased weed and pest infestations. In such unfavorable conditions, biostimulants play a crucial role in improving crop productivity. The global and Indian biostimulant markets are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% and 12.5% respectively by 2031. As the largest producer of high-biomass residue (HBR), GAVL is committed to serving Indian farmers by providing a range of biostimulants tailored to their specific crop requirements.
India stands among the few countries worldwide that have established separate regulations for biostimulants. The unorganized biochemical sector, valued at approximately INR 1,640 crore, is experiencing rapid growth. The guidelines introduced in 2021 mandate manufacturers to include chemical composition and expiry dates on product labels, as well as undergo mandatory prior registration with the government.
Rajavelu N.K, CEO of the Crop Protection Business at GAVL, emphasized the importance of regulation by stating that farmers invest in crop protection products with the hope of achieving optimal yields. With 85% of Indian farmers being small and marginalized, it is essential to provide them with genuine and user-friendly products of high quality. While the establishment of regulations is a crucial first step, industry-wide collaboration is necessary to raise awareness among farmers about the benefits of using authentic products in the recommended quantities. The new packaging of Double complies with government guidelines and offers convenience in its usage.
The climate crisis resulted in a loss of 5 million hectares of crops in India in 2021. Additionally, pests, diseases, and poor agricultural practices further impact crop yields. GAVL believes that it is essential for the industry to create awareness about Crop Protection, advocating for the use of the right products at the right time and with the right spray techniques. Furthermore, they stress the importance of biostimulants in conjunction with Integrated Pest Management.
