• On Nov. 22-23, 2023, Syngenta launched the new insecticide INCIPIO® 200SC with Plinazolin® technology at the Syngenta Plant Protection Research and Development Center in Cikampek, West Java.
• The new insecticide, INCIPIO® 200SC with Plinazolin® technology, assists farmers in controlling the yellow stem borer pest in rice plants.

Jakarta, Nov. 22-23, 2023 – November to March is the main planting season in Indonesia, taking place during the rainy season when water availability is high. However, climate change has made it challenging to predict the onset of the rainy and dry seasons, disrupting the planting season and affecting national food production.

According to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, Indonesia is the fourth-largest rice producer globally and the top producer in Southeast Asia, with an estimated production of 34.6 million metric tons in the 2022/2023 season¹. This production is expected to continue increasing to meet domestic and export demands.

One factor that can affect rice productivity is the presence of plant pests, such as rats, brown plant hoppers, blast, leaf blight and stem borers. Among these, the yellow stem borer remains a significant threat, especially in Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. An infestation of the yellow stem borer can lead to crop losses of up to 30 percent² if not effectively controlled at the right time. Attacks during the generative phase can result in farmers losing up to 95 percent³ of their harvest.

To help farmers combat the threat of the yellow stem borer, Syngenta, a leading agricultural technology company, has introduced its latest plant protection solution – INCIPIO® 200SC for rice plants. The launch of the new insecticide INCIPIO® 200SC took place on Nov. 22-23 at the Syngenta Plant Protection Research and Development Center in Cikampek, West Java.

“INCIPIO® 200SC with Plinazolin® technology is the latest insecticide that can control yellow stem borer infestations in both the vegetative and generative phases. This technology works on contact and ingestion, is weather-resistant to rain and heat, safe for users and the environment and can break the pest resistance to old chemical and diamide groups with a control period of 14-21 days. INCIPIO® 200SC is developed to efficiently address the challenges posed by climate change and pest resistance, leading to significant crop losses each year. By using INCIPIO® 200SC, farmers can feel secure without the burden of yellow stem borer attacks,” explained Frendy Tarigan, Brand Manager of Syngenta Indonesia.

The launch event for this new technology was attended by Syngenta management and approximately 1,500 rice farmers from West Java, Central Java, East Java, North Sumatra, Aceh, South Sumatra, Lampung and Central Sulawesi. The event also welcomed the participation of the technical team chair of the Pesticide Commission of the Agriculture Ministry, representatives from the Central Forecasting Institute for Plant Pest Organisms (BBPOPT), the Agricultural Instrument Standardization Agency (BSIP), representatives from the Center for Plant Variety Protection and Agricultural Licensing (PPVTPP), the Head of the Agricultural Office of Karawang District and staff, the Chair of the Permitting Service Task Force 1 and representatives from the local village head. During the event, farmers received a comprehensive explanation of the advantages and benefits of INCIPIO® 200SC. They were also invited to visit demo plots to observe the difference between those using and not using INCIPIO® 200SC.

Prof. Dr. Dadang, M.Sc., the technical team chair of the Pesticide Commission, highlighted the characteristics of innovative farmers who are always curious about the latest agricultural and technological advancements, willing to try new things and ultimately share valuable information with other farmers. These innovative farmers are expected to help promote the adoption of new technologies, including INCIPIO® 200SC, to enhance crop production.

Syngenta Indonesia President Director Kazim Hasnain emphasized Syngenta's commitment to assisting farmers in overcoming various challenges including climate, pests and diseases through technological innovation. This time, Syngenta launched the INCIPIO® 200SC technology specifically designed to protect rice plants from yellow stem borer pests to ensure continued productivity, enabling Indonesia to become a rice exporter in the future.

Drs. Asep Hazar, M.Sc, the Head of the Agricultural Office of Karawang District, expressed hope that the introduction of this new technology would help farmers in controlling plant pests. The government, through Plant Pest Control Officers (POPT), is making efforts to assist and guide farmers in pest control. Collaborating with the private sector, he believes that these efforts to control plant pests will be more effective.

Syngenta also utilized digital technology in the launch event of INCIPIO® 200SC. This included the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a cohost, the Cropwise Grower app to provide farmers with digital farming guidance for improving agricultural quality and productivity and drone demonstrations for the application of plant protection products.