New Delhi, 29 Oct 2026 | Aranya Singh: Indian farmers will have access to a new insecticide from November 6, 2026, with agrochemical company PI Industries announcing the commercial launch of Pioxaniliprole, described by the company as India’s first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule. The new molecule, approved by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), is expected to be marketed under the brand name Pioxazon during the current rabi season.

“Pioxaniliprole, which is India’s first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule, has been granted approval by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare after undergoing extensive evaluation through regulatory studies and multilocation field trials. We are now ready to take it to farmers’ fields from November 6, 2026, to coincide with the Dhanteras festival,” said Mayank Singhal, Vice-Chairperson & Managing Director of PI Industries.

He added that the molecule was developed as part of the company’s long-term research programme, backed by an investment of approximately ₹2,000 crore in overall research and development (R&D) since 2014.

Pioxaniliprole belongs to the anthranilic diamide class of insecticides, which act on calcium-release mechanisms in insect muscle cells. By disrupting normal muscle function, these compounds can cause paralysis, cessation of feeding and, eventually, the death of targeted insect pests.

The molecule has been approved as a 20% weight-by-volume suspension concentrate formulation for application on paddy, chilli, tomato, maize and chickpea crops.

According to the company, the insecticide targets several economically significant pests, including yellow stem borer and leaf folder in paddy, fall armyworm in maize, tobacco cutworm, fruit borer and pod borer.

These pests pose recurring challenges to Indian farmers, often causing crop damage and yield losses. The availability of new crop protection technologies could provide farmers with additional tools to manage pest infestations, although their effectiveness will depend on appropriate application, pest susceptibility and integration with other crop protection measures.

India’s agricultural landscape is characterized by diverse agro-climatic conditions, cropping patterns and pest pressures. Developing crop protection technologies suited to these conditions is therefore important for strengthening agricultural productivity and reducing dependence on externally developed solutions.

Narayan K. Seshadri, Chairperson of PI Industries Ltd, said the launch represented an important milestone for Indian agricultural science.

“Pioxaniliprole represents an important milestone in the evolution of Indian agricultural science. It represents an important foundation for the next generation of discoveries. It reinforces the company’s commitment to building a sustained innovation pipeline, advancing indigenous research capabilities and developing differentiated technologies for global agriculture,” he said.

The development also raises broader questions about how India can translate its expanding scientific capabilities into agricultural innovations that respond to farmers’ needs. Beyond improving crop yields, indigenous research can contribute to developing technologies tailored to local growing conditions, strengthening domestic research capabilities and supporting the evolution of the country’s agrochemical industry.

The introduction of a new insecticide also comes against the backdrop of growing concerns about pesticide effectiveness and resistance among insect pests. The availability of a new molecule could expand the options available to farmers, but its long-term effectiveness will depend on responsible use, adherence to approved application guidelines and appropriate resistance-management strategies.

When asked whether farmers would be better served by pest-resistant crops or pesticides, Singhal said the company was focusing on developing insecticides that could benefit farmers, adding that, in his view, there were no such pest-resistant crops.

However, agricultural pest management can involve multiple approaches, including resistant crop varieties where available, biological control, crop rotation, monitoring and judicious pesticide application. Experts generally advocate integrated pest management to reduce reliance on any single control method and help preserve the effectiveness of available insecticides.

For Indian agriculture, the launch of Pioxaniliprole represents both a commercial milestone and an opportunity to strengthen indigenous crop protection research. Its ultimate significance will depend on how effectively the technology performs in farmers’ fields, its economic value to growers and its contribution to sustainable pest management.
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