Description

The Ministry of Agriculture has taken decisive action to regulate biostimulants in response to a growing number of complaints from farmers. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has instructed state authorities to stop compelling farmers to purchase biostimulants along with subsidised fertilisers. The move comes amid increasing doubts over the effectiveness of these products and the lack of regulation in their sale. Despite the rapid growth of the biostimulant industry in India, there is now a push to introduce stricter oversight to safeguard farmers' interests.

Understanding Biostimulants

Biostimulants are natural substances or microbial products that are applied to crops or soil to promote plant growth, improve nutrient absorption, and increase resistance to stress. These products, which include extracts from seaweed and plant residues, are not classified as fertilisers or pesticides and therefore require distinct regulatory treatment.

Market Trends And Growth Projections

The biostimulant sector in India was valued at approximately USD 355.53 million in 2024. Forecasts indicate that it could grow to over USD 1.1 billion by 2032, with a strong annual growth rate of 15.64%. However, a significant number of these products have been circulating in the market without proper certification, raising issues about their reliability and safety.

Regulatory Evolution

For many years, biostimulants remained outside the regulatory frameworks for fertilisers and pesticides. Fertilisers fall under the Fertiliser (Control) Order (FCO) of 1985, while pesticides are governed by the Insecticides Act of 1968. In 2011, judicial directions highlighted the need for regulatory oversight of bioproducts claiming to replace conventional agricultural inputs. As a result, both NITI Aayog and the Agriculture Ministry developed a regulatory structure in 2017, which gradually led to national-level quality checks.

Bringing Biostimulants Under FCO

Biostimulants were officially brought under the FCO in February 2021. This inclusion gave the government authority to enforce standards for their production, sale, and import. They were divided into eight categories, including botanical extracts, vitamins, antioxidants, and bio-chemicals. To obtain approval, manufacturers must provide extensive data and ensure their products meet bio-efficacy and toxicity standards.

Testing Protocols And Safety Compliance

Each product must pass nine key tests: five acute toxicity tests (on rats and rabbits) and four eco-toxicity tests (on birds, fish, earthworms, and honeybees). Additionally, the presence of pesticides in these products must not exceed 0.01 parts per million (ppm). Bio-efficacy trials must also be conducted across multiple agro-climatic zones to verify performance at different dosages.

Establishment Of Central Biostimulant Committee

To oversee and guide the regulatory process, the Ministry of Agriculture established the Central Biostimulant Committee in 2021. This body is tasked with setting technical standards, advising on product approvals, and recommending suitable testing protocols.

Recent Policy Updates And Enforcement

Manufacturers were initially granted a provisional registration period of two years to continue sales while applying for full product approval. This grace period was extended more than once but officially ended on March 17, 2025. Following this, unapproved biostimulants were barred from being sold in the market. In May 2025, the Ministry also introduced crop-specific standards for biostimulants used on paddy, cotton, tomatoes, and other major crops.

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