India’s Biostimulant Regulation
India’s Agriculture Ministry recently took strong steps to regulate biostimulants amid rising farmer complaints. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed states to stop forcing farmers to buy biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers. Concerns about their effectiveness and unchecked sales prompted these actions. The biostimulant market in India is growing rapidly but requires stricter oversight to protect farmers’ interests.
What Are Biostimulants?
Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms applied to plants or soil to stimulate growth and improve nutrient uptake. They enhance crop yield, quality, and stress tolerance. Common sources include plant waste and seaweed extracts. They differ from fertilisers and pesticides and are regulated separately.
Market Size and Growth
India’s biostimulant market was valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024. It is expected to grow to over USD 1.1 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.64%. Despite this growth, many products were sold without proper approval, raising concerns regarding quality and efficacy.
Regulatory Background
Biostimulants were unregulated for years as they did not fit under fertiliser or pesticide laws. The Fertiliser (Control) Order (FCO) 1985 and the Insecticides Act 1968 govern fertilisers and pesticides respectively. In 2011, courts urged regulation of bioproducts claiming to substitute fertilisers or pesticides. This led to state-level quality checks and eventually a framework by NITI Aayog and the Agriculture Ministry in 2017.
Inclusion Under Fertiliser Control Order
In February 2021, biostimulants were officially included in the FCO. This empowered the government to set product standards and regulate manufacture, sale, and import. The FCO classifies biostimulants into eight categories such as botanical extracts, bio-chemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Manufacturers must submit detailed product information and pass toxicity and bio-efficacy tests.
Testing and Compliance Requirements
Biostimulants undergo five acute toxicity tests on rats and rabbits and four eco-toxicity tests on birds, fish, honeybees, and earthworms. Products must not contain pesticides beyond 0.01 ppm. Bio-efficacy trials are conducted at multiple agro-ecological locations with varying doses to ensure effectiveness.
Central Biostimulant Committee
The Ministry set up the Central Biostimulant Committee in 2021 to advise on product inclusion, specifications, testing methods, and other regulatory matters. This committee guides policy and ensures scientific standards in biostimulant use.
Recent Government Actions
Manufacturers had a two-year provisional registration period to sell biostimulants while applying for full approval. This deadline was extended multiple times. On 17 March 2025, the provisional registration expired, halting sales of uncertified products. The Ministry also issued crop-specific biostimulant specifications for tomatoes, paddy, cotton, and other key crops in May 2025.
| Related | |
|---|---|
