Regulation of Biostimulant Products under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985 - Sustainable Agriculture

Regulation of Biostimulant Products under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985 - Sustainable Agriculture


Background of the Decision

  • Prior to regulation, the Indian market was flooded with nearly 30,000 unregulated biostimulant products.

  • This raised concerns over quality, authenticity, and farmer exploitation, as many products lacked scientific validation.

  • To ensure farmers receive safe, effective, and scientifically tested products, the Government brought biostimulants under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985.

  • The FCO, 1985, is a regulation framed under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to control the quality, distribution, and sale of fertilizers.

  • Within the FCO, Schedule VI was created to specifically list and regulate approved categories of biostimulants.

  • This step aligns with the government’s broader vision of sustainable agriculture, quality assurance, and farmer welfare.


Regulatory Inclusion

  • Notification No. S.O. 882 (E) dated 23rd February 2021 formally included biostimulants in FCO, 1985.

  • A new Clause 20C was added to regulate their quality and compliance.

Definition of Biostimulants under FCO, 1985

  • Substances or micro-organisms (or both) that stimulate plant physiological processes.

  • Benefits: improved nutrient uptake, growth, yield, nutrition efficiency, crop quality, and stress tolerance.

  • Excludes pesticides and plant growth regulators (regulated separately under the Insecticides Act, 1968).

Categories of Biostimulants (Schedule VI, FCO)

  • Botanical extracts (including seaweed extracts)

  • Bio-chemicals

  • Protein hydrolysates & amino acids

  • Vitamins

  • Cell-free microbial products

  • Antioxidants

  • Anti-transpirants

  • Humic & fulvic acid and their derivatives

  • Live micro-organisms (excluding biofertilizers & biopesticides)

Provisional Registration (G3 Certificates)

  • Temporary approval for 8,000+ products to continue manufacturing/importing while generating scientific data (bioefficacy, toxicity, chemistry).

  • Initially valid till 23rd Feb 2023, then extended till 16th June 2025.

Final Government Decision

  • From 17th June 2025, all provisional registrations invalid.

  • Manufacturers/importers can only sell products formally included in Schedule VI.

  • Official list of invalidated products and approved ones uploaded on Agriculture Ministry website.

Current Status

  • Only 146 biostimulant products officially recognized and included in FCO.

  • Notifications available in the Gazette of India and ministry portal.

Farmer Support

  • Toll-free helpline for farmers: 1800-180-1551.

Key Takeaways

  • Before regulation: ~30,000 unverified products in the market.

  • Biostimulants brought under FCO, 1985 (framed under Essential Commodities Act, 1955) to ensure quality & protect farmers.

  • Schedule VI created within FCO to list and regulate approved biostimulants.

  • 9 categories of biostimulants defined.

  • Over 8,000 products had provisional approval till 16th June 2025.

  • From 17th June 2025 → only 146 products officially valid.

  • Government ensures transparency via official website + toll-free farmer helpline.

Biostimulants Regulation: Before vs After


Aspect

Before Regulation

After Regulation (FCO, 1985 – Schedule VI)

Market Size

~30,000 products in the market, mostly unregulated

Only 146 approved products officially recognized

Legal Framework

No specific regulation for biostimulants

Regulated under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, framed under Essential Commodities Act, 1955

Product Quality

Variable; no mandatory testing or validation

Strict quality standards, backed by Clause 20C of FCO

Categories

No formal classification

9 defined categories (Botanical extracts, Biochemicals, Amino acids, Vitamins, Antioxidants, etc.)

Farmer Protection

Farmers vulnerable to spurious/substandard products

Assured access to scientifically tested & safe products

Industry Compliance

Free entry, but no accountability

Mandatory registration, bioefficacy & toxicity data required

Registration

None

Provisional registration (G3 certificates) issued earlier; now invalid after 16th June 2025

Transparency

Lack of clarity on valid products

Approved product list & invalidated ones published online

Farmer Support

No direct support mechanism

Toll-free helpline (1800-180-1551) for farmer queries

This table captures the shift from an unregulated, cluttered market to a controlled, transparent, and farmer-centric regulatory framework.


Reference:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2165081

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