Biostimulants
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: IE
Context: Union Agriculture Minister has directed states to halt forced sales of biostimulants, amid rising complaints over efficacy and regulatory violations.
• The Centre is tightening oversight on biostimulants through revised specifications and regulatory checks under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985.
About Biostimulants:
• Definition: Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that, when applied to plants or soil, enhance nutrient uptake, plant growth, yield, and stress resistance, without being classified as fertilisers or pesticides.
• Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that, when applied to plants or soil, enhance nutrient uptake, plant growth, yield, and stress resistance, without being classified as fertilisers or pesticides.
• Key Characteristics: Non-nutrient input: Unlike fertilisers, they stimulate plant physiological processes. Derived from nature: Often made from plant residues, seaweed extracts, or microbes. Not a pesticide substitute: They don’t directly control pests, and are regulated separately under FCO. Crop-specific efficacy: Applied for specific crops like paddy, onion, brinjal, chilli, etc.
• Non-nutrient input: Unlike fertilisers, they stimulate plant physiological processes.
• Derived from nature: Often made from plant residues, seaweed extracts, or microbes.
• Not a pesticide substitute: They don’t directly control pests, and are regulated separately under FCO.
• Crop-specific efficacy: Applied for specific crops like paddy, onion, brinjal, chilli, etc.
• Regulatory Framework: Legal Backing: Included under Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985 through an amendment in February 2021. Must comply with toxicity tests, eco-safety trials, and bio-efficacy studies. Mandatory Testing: Five acute toxicity tests (oral, dermal, inhalation, eye, skin). Four eco-toxicity tests (on fish, birds, honeybees, and earthworms). Trials at 3 agro-ecological zones over a season, with 3 different doses. Central Biostimulant Committee: Constituted in 2021 for 5 years under the Agriculture Ministry. Advises on product approvals, testing methods, and lab standards. Government Action & Current Issues Misuse reported: Retailers forcing farmers to buy biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers. Crackdown on unregistered products: From 30,000+ unregulated products, only 650 now permitted. March 2024 deadline lapse: Provisional licences expired and unsold stocks now ineligible for sale. Crop-specific specs: Notified in May 2025 for tomato, chilli, paddy, cotton, soybean, and more. India’s Growing Biostimulant Market: Valued at USD 410 million in 2025, projected to reach USD 1.13 billion by 2032. Driven by demand for low-input sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient practices.
• Legal Backing: Included under Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985 through an amendment in February 2021. Must comply with toxicity tests, eco-safety trials, and bio-efficacy studies.
• Included under Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985 through an amendment in February 2021.
• Must comply with toxicity tests, eco-safety trials, and bio-efficacy studies.
• Mandatory Testing: Five acute toxicity tests (oral, dermal, inhalation, eye, skin). Four eco-toxicity tests (on fish, birds, honeybees, and earthworms). Trials at 3 agro-ecological zones over a season, with 3 different doses.
• Five acute toxicity tests (oral, dermal, inhalation, eye, skin).
• Four eco-toxicity tests (on fish, birds, honeybees, and earthworms).
• Trials at 3 agro-ecological zones over a season, with 3 different doses.
• Central Biostimulant Committee: Constituted in 2021 for 5 years under the Agriculture Ministry. Advises on product approvals, testing methods, and lab standards.
• Constituted in 2021 for 5 years under the Agriculture Ministry.
• Advises on product approvals, testing methods, and lab standards.
• Government Action & Current Issues Misuse reported: Retailers forcing farmers to buy biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers. Crackdown on unregistered products: From 30,000+ unregulated products, only 650 now permitted. March 2024 deadline lapse: Provisional licences expired and unsold stocks now ineligible for sale. Crop-specific specs: Notified in May 2025 for tomato, chilli, paddy, cotton, soybean, and more.
• Misuse reported: Retailers forcing farmers to buy biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers.
• Crackdown on unregistered products: From 30,000+ unregulated products, only 650 now permitted.
• March 2024 deadline lapse: Provisional licences expired and unsold stocks now ineligible for sale.
• Crop-specific specs: Notified in May 2025 for tomato, chilli, paddy, cotton, soybean, and more.
• India’s Growing Biostimulant Market: Valued at USD 410 million in 2025, projected to reach USD 1.13 billion by 2032. Driven by demand for low-input sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient practices.
• Valued at USD 410 million in 2025, projected to reach USD 1.13 billion by 2032.
• Driven by demand for low-input sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient practices.