BASF and Corteva Introduce Clearfield® Mustard Production System in India
18 February 2026, Jaipur: BASF India, in partnership with Corteva Agriscience India, has introduced the Clearfield® production system for mustard cultivation in India. The system is a non-transgenic herbicide-tolerant crop solution developed by BASF and deployed with Corteva as the seed partner.
Mustard contributes more than 4 million tonnes to India’s edible oil output and is cultivated on over 8 million hectares annually. Farmers face yield losses due to parasitic weeds such as Orobanche, with reported losses reaching up to 50 percent in affected fields and crop failure in severe cases. Weed management remains a central factor in maintaining production and reducing dependence on edible oil imports.
The Clearfield system combines herbicide tolerance with crop genetics. The technology includes BASF’s Kifix® herbicide for control of Orobanche and other weeds. Mustard hybrids used in the system are developed through conventional plant-breeding methods and are non-genetically modified. In simple terms, these seeds are herbicide-tolerant, which means the recommended dose of Kifix® herbicide can be applied to control weeds while the mustard crop remains unaffected.
Speaking on the occasion of this launch, Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena, Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture, Rajasthan, said the state is a major mustard-producing region and that farmers face pressure from weeds such as Orobanche. He stated that the Clearfield Mustard Production System can support farmers through improved weed management, stable production, and protection of farm income.
Giridhar Ranuva, Director, BASF Agricultural Solutions India, said the launch represents work undertaken to provide farmers with tools to manage weeds and protect yields in mustard cultivation, and acknowledged stakeholders involved in the project.
Subroto Geed, President, South Asia, Corteva Agriscience, said the Clearfield Mustard Production System provides a science-based approach for mustard cultivation and is intended to support farm productivity and contribute to India’s food and oilseed requirements.
The Clearfield® Mustard Production System will be introduced in mustard-growing regions in phases, aligned with local agronomic practices.
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