Best Insecticide for Paddy Crop in India 2025 — Complete Farmer's Guide

Best Insecticide for Paddy Crop in India 2025 — Complete Farmer's Guide

Paddy (rice) is India's most important food crop, grown across millions of hectares in Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha. Yet every kharif season, Indian farmers lose thousands of crores worth of paddy yield to pest attacks — brown plant hopper, stem borer, leaf folder, and gall midge being the most destructive.

Choosing the right insecticide for paddy crop — at the right growth stage, with the correct dosage — can be the difference between a full harvest and a failed one. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Most common paddy pests and how to identify them

Before reaching for any insecticide, correctly identify the pest. Misidentification is the most common reason crop protection fails.

Brown planthopper (BPH)Sucks sap at baseCauses hopperburnMost deadlyStem borerBores into stemDead heart / white earVery commonLeaf folderFolds & feeds on leafReduces grain fillingModerateGall midgeForms silver shootCentral tiller diesEarly stage

Best insecticides for paddy crop — product-wise guide

1. Imidacloprid 17.8% SL — best for brown plant hopper (BPH)

Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide absorbed by the plant and transported to all tissues, killing sucking pests like BPH from inside. It is the most widely recommended insecticide for paddy in India by agricultural universities and KVKs.

Paidavaar ShieldPro — Imidacloprid 17.8% SL
Highly effective against BPH, whitefly, thrips and other sucking pests. Works within 2–4 hours of application. Provides 15–20 days residual protection.
Dose: 125–150 ml per acre | Mix in 200 litres water | Spray at base of plants.

2. Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG — best for stem borer and leaf folder

Emamectin Benzoate disrupts the pest's nervous system and causes rapid paralysis. It is particularly effective against stem borer, leaf folder, and cut worm in paddy. Provides both contact and stomach action.

Shree Zone — Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG
Fast-acting insecticide for leaf-eating and boring pests. Results visible within 24 hours. Safe for beneficial insects when used at recommended dose.
Dose: 100–200 gm per acre | Mix in 200 litres water | Spray when dead hearts first appear.

3. Chlorpyriphos 10% GR — best for soil-dwelling pests and gall midge

Chlorpyriphos granules are applied directly into standing water in paddy fields. Best used at transplanting stage for gall midge, root-feeding insects, and yellow stem borer prevention.

Shuter — Chlorpyriphos 10% GR
Granular formulation applied to field. No spray equipment needed. Long-lasting soil protection for 20–25 days after application.
Dose: 8–10 kg per acre | Broadcast into 2–3 cm standing water | Apply 3–5 days after transplanting.

4. Thiamethoxam 25% WG — best for nursery and early crop stage

Thiamethoxam is a broad-spectrum systemic insecticide that provides fast knockdown and long residual activity. Widely used in paddy nurseries and early transplanted crop against thrips, BPH, and whitefly.

Thander — Thiamethoxam 25% WG
Works through both contact and systemic action. Effective from day 1 to day 28 after application. Ideal for nursery drenching before transplanting.
Dose: 100 gm per acre | Foliar spray or nursery root dip | Best in early vegetative stage.

When to spray — timing is everything

The right timing makes your insecticide 3x more effective and saves you money. Spray only when the pest population reaches the Economic Threshold Level (ETL) — the point at which pest damage justifies the cost of spraying.

  • BPH: Spray when 5–10 hoppers per hill are counted (ETL). Do not spray earlier.
  • Stem borer: Spray when 5% dead hearts (vegetative stage) or 10% white ears (reproductive stage) are observed.
  • Leaf folder: Spray when 2 fresh leaf rolls per hill are seen consistently.
  • Gall midge: Apply granules at transplanting and repeat if silver shoots appear within 2 weeks.

 Important: Always spray in the early morning or late evening. Avoid spraying in direct afternoon sunlight — UV light degrades most insecticides rapidly. Wear gloves, mask, and protective clothing. Maintain a 14–21 day pre-harvest interval (PHI) before cutting the crop.


Government schemes that help pay for crop protection

PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — crop insurance for pest damage
Under PMFBY, paddy farmers can get insurance coverage for crop losses due to pest attacks, disease, and natural calamities. Enroll before the kharif season starts — contact your nearest CSC center or visit pmfby.gov.in. Premium for paddy is only 2% of the sum insured for farmers.

Soil Health Card Scheme — free soil testing for better decisions
Get your soil tested free through the government's Soil Health Card scheme. Knowing your soil's nutrient profile helps you choose the right fertilizers and reduce unnecessary pesticide use. Visit soilhealth.dac.gov.in or contact your local KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra).

Buy genuine paddy insecticides online — delivered to your farm

All insecticides mentioned in this guide — ShieldPro (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL), Shree Zone (Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG), Shuter (Chlorpyriphos 10% GR) and Thander (Thiamethoxam 25% WG) — are available on Paidavaar at the best prices in India, with fast delivery to your doorstep in Bihar, UP, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and all major paddy-growing states.

All Paidavaar products are CIB&RC registered, genuine, and directly sourced from manufacturers. No middlemen, no fake products.

Need expert advice for your paddy crop?
Our agri experts give free advice in Hindi, English, Bengali & Telugu — call us anytime
Call Free Helpline: 1800-891-0612

Disclaimer: Always read the product label before use. Recommended dosages are general guidelines — consult your local KVK or agri advisor for crop-specific advice. Paidavaar is not responsible for the misuse of products.

Back to blog