ICAR-CTCRI signed MoU for commercialisation of three phyto-insecticide molecules from Cassava leaves

22nd June 2023, Thiruvananthapuram

ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram has licensed machinery and process for the extraction of three bioactive molecules from cassava leaves to a Tiruchirappalli-based company M/S Green Edge Agri Imports Private Limited. Named Nanma, Menma and Shreya, they are molecules with pesticidal action against insect pests of various crops. While Menma is effective against the borer insect pests of banana and coconut, Nanma is effective against sucking insect pests like aphids, thrips, scale insects, mealybugs, and early instars of tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura). The third variant Shreyais effective in dissolving the mealy substance of mealybug, thereby exposing the insect for control through other means.

Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI and Sri. Elango, Director, M/S Green Edge signed the technology licensing form (TLF) in the presence of Shri. Praveen Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Agrinnovate India Ltd. (Agin), a ‘for profit’ company owned by the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE), Government of India tasked with commercialising the technologies developed by ICAR Institutes.

Though these technologies were perfected more than a decade ago and proved very effective for the eco-friendly management of a variety of insect pests, this is the first time that the machinery and process are licensed to a company, said Dr. Byju.

Dr. Malik called for implementing a sustainable approach to commercializing the technologies through a long-term public-private partnership.

Dr. C.A. Jayaprakas, Principal Scientist (Retd.) and principal inventor of the technologies, all scientists and technical staff involved with the project also witnessed the event.

Currently, the Indian biopesticide market is estimated at $705 million in 2022 and growing at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.0%. These three bioformulations are expected to capture a significant share of the $477 million field crops and orchard-based biopesticide market, said Dr. P. Sethuraman Sivakumar, Principal Scientist, and Scientist-in-Charge, Agri-Business Incubator (ABI) of the institute.

(Source: ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram)