Ihara launches insecticide and presents technologies at the 14th Brazilian Cotton Congress

With a tradition and history in cotton cultivation, Ihara, a pesticide research and development company, has been a constant partner of cotton growers, investing in technologies that make this cultivation viable in the country, especially in the Cerrado region. In yet another edition, the company will be present at the 14th Brazilian Cotton Congress (CBA), which will take place until September 5, 2024, in Fortaleza (CE), with the launch of the insecticide Terminus and another solution in the portfolio: Chaser, which combines insecticide and fungicide action in a single product.   

Terminus is an insecticide that offers high performance due to its innovative formulation, which enhances the fast and long-lasting control of major pests such as the boll weevil and the fall armyworm. This technology has flexibility for use throughout the cotton cycle, providing higher quality fiber.

Another solution is Chaser, which uses a molecule that is exclusive to Brazil by combining insecticide and fungicide action in a single product. This technology is effective against boll weevils, two-spotted mites, aphids and ramularia, pests that significantly affect cotton productivity. Chaser has an anti-feeding action, which immediately stops the pests from feeding, in addition to acting directly on cellular respiration and having an ovicidal effect on mites.

According to Ihara’s agronomist and Regional Marketing Manager, Gustavo Corsini (in the video), last year, farmers faced significant challenges in controlling the boll weevil, and the use of tools such as Terminus and Chaser became necessary because they offer innovative formulations that adapt to adverse conditions and the growing resistance of pests. They help producers solve crop problems and increase productivity in a sustainable way. “Cotton cultivation is technical and its production in Brazil is of high quality, which is why it requires technologies that also focus on sustainability. These solutions reinforce Ihara’s commitment to the competitiveness of cotton farming, developing technologies that contribute to making cotton cultivation viable, especially in the Brazilian Cerrado, a region responsible for harvesting almost all (more than 90%) of the cotton that supplies the national market and more than 40 countries around the world,” explains Corsini.

For the company, the Brazilian Cotton Congress is a key event in the sector because it promotes innovation and provides technical knowledge among cotton farmers and other links in the production chain. "This helps to make the future harvest even more productive and of higher quality. Participating in the CBA has become essential for Ihara, because the event allows us to strengthen our relationship with cotton farmers, understand first-hand the problems faced in the field, exchange experiences and disseminate good practices that benefit crops in the country," says Ihara's Regional Marketing Manager.

Cotton farming in the 2023/2024 harvest in Brazil

According to a recent analysis by the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea), based on data from the National Supply Company (Conab), Brazil is on track to reach a new record in cotton lint production in the 2023/2024 harvest. The estimate is for a harvest of around 3,6 million tons, which represents an increase of 13,4% compared to the previous harvest. Cepea researchers highlight that the record will be driven by the significant expansion of the cultivated area, which grew by 16,3%, totaling approximately 1,94 million hectares.

Given the projections for the 2023/2024 harvest, Brazil shows its relevance, being one of the largest producers and exporters of cotton in the world, occupying the fourth position in production and the second in exports of this natural fiber. In addition, cotton farming is also one of the important crops for the Brazilian economy because it provides raw material for several other production processes.

Currently, most farms have more than 1000 hectares, especially those in Mato Grosso and Bahia, which account for 90% of the country’s cultivated area. However, to ensure a productive and high-quality harvest, cotton producers must be aware of the challenges in the field amid adverse weather conditions and the high incidence of pests and diseases, which can cause severe damage to crops. “With each harvest, it is becoming increasingly difficult to control these detractors due to their resistance to existing products on the market. Providing efficient and safe technologies in the field is a major challenge for the industry, and our team of researchers is committed to developing and making available new solutions that can effectively control detractors. This is Ihara’s commitment to Brazilian cotton farmers, and Chaser and Terminus are here to break down this barrier,” Corsini emphasizes.