Nigeria - Wacot develops herbicide to tackle weeds, increase farm productivity

Wacot Limited, a leading company in agro-input in Nigeria, has developed and launched a new crop protection herbicide known as ‘Dragon Super’ to help farmers tackle the problem of weeds so as to increase crop yield.

According to the manufacturers, the Dragon Super has the potential to increase farm productivity by 25 per cent.

It was gathered that it is a non-selective, post-emergence broad-spectrum herbicide, used to control annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weeds.

During the launch of the product in Abuja, the Director, Agric Input Division, Wacot Limited, Murari Sharma said the product which is a replacement for paraquat which has been banned in the country, will create a new milestone of productivity, enhancing productivity in agriculture.

Sharma also assured that Dragon Super is safe to use and has no adverse effects on human health or the environment when applied accordingly.

Sharma noted that the product is beneficial for Nigerian farmers over existing herbicides, adding that it has a long-lasting effect- control weeds which is safe for intercropping and prevents regeneration of weeds. He noted that the product is going to be a great revolution in the agriculture industry.

He added that the product has been tested in 2,000 demonstration farms, and there is confidence it will contribute a lot to the sector.

He said: ″Major challenges which are faced by our farmers are weeds which can cause up to 90 percent yield loss, if not taken care of properly. To solve this problem, Wacot Ltd has launched a revolutionary herbicide.

″The product is going to be a great revolution in agriculture, it will create a new milestone of productivity, enhancing productivity in agriculture because it’s a replacement for paracord.

″This product is very, very resistant to all kinds of temperatures, all kinds of soils, it is a proven product and has been tested in almost 2,000 farm places, it would create a lot of contribution to the agricultural enhancement and that is by 25%″, Sharma told journalists on the sidelines of the event.

‘Furthermore, he said ″Super is a non-selective, post-emergence broad-spectrum herbicide, used to control annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weeds. It is safe for the environment because of no residues in soil, water and plants.

″We have been revolutionising the agric sector through value chain investments covering agricultural inputs, origination, value-addition, supply chain, as well as domestic and international logistics. We pride ourselves in being the food security partner of choice in Nigeria.″