JUNE 20258BAYER LAUNCHES BICOTA TO PROTECT RICE CROPS FROM STEM BORERINDIA'S GREEN HYDROGEN COSTS TO DROP 40% WITH GOVT INCENTIVESAccording to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the government's support and incentives are predicted to reduce the cost of green hydrogen in India, a nation that is making significant strides in the renewable energy sector, by up to 40 percent.· Green hydrogen costs in India may fall by up to 40 percent· Incentives include lower GST, waived charges, and cheap renewable power· Industry is positive, but policy refinements are needed for long-term growthBeginning in June 2025, the product will be offered in 11 states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab, and Haryana, according to a statement from Bayer. BICOTA targets stem borers, which harm crops and drastically lower rice production. According to the manufacturer, the product promotes root and tiller development and offers longer-lasting protection with a single application than other options on the market.Bayer endeavours to make life easier for farmers through its innovations," said Mohan Babu, Chief Operating Officer for India's Crop Science Division at Bayer. With BICOTA, we not only want paddy farmers to have solutions that will protect their crop but also save them time and labour costs and help improve their yields and income."The manufacturer claims that the granular formulation is compatible with Integrated Pest Management techniques and is made for easy field application.According to Bayer, beneficial insects can safely use the pesticide. For hundreds of millions of people, rice is a staple food, and India is one of the biggest producers of the grain worldwide. Farmers continue to face significant challenges in managing pests, especially when weather patterns shift. · Bayer launches BICOTA to fight rice stem borers across 11 Indian states.· Single application offers longer-lasting protection, boosts root and tiller development.· Granular formula suits IPM practices; safe for beneficial insects, easy application.In India, the levelized price of green hydrogen is predicted to drop to between Rs 260 and Rs 310 per kilogram (USD 3 to 3.75 per kilogram).In addition to lowering distribution and transmission costs, lowering the GST rate for hydrogen to 5%, and waiving interstate transmission charges for open access, India offers hydrogen producers inexpensive renewable electricity. Additionally, according to the research, electrolyser manufacturers are expected to reduce overall system costs by 7­10% over the first five years, beginning in 2024. The average yearly realizable base incentive is Rs 2,960/kW (USD 36/kW)."While the green hydrogen scheme is an important step for India, refinements are needed to promote long-term investment and project viability," says the report.According to the research, the industry has responded positively to India's green hydrogen initiative. It went on to say, though, that the plan needs to be adjusted to draw in new businesses, compete with multinational firms, build a supply chain, and secure demand in order to guarantee the long-term survival of the sector."If successful, it could help build India's green hydrogen industry with benefits for a range of sectors including agriculture, transport and manufacturing," the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis report added.TOP STORIESAs the German life sciences business broadens its agricultural portfolio in India's major rice-growing regions, Bayer AG announced on Monday the launch of BICOTA, a new product intended to assist rice farmers in managing stem borer bugs.
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