India’s Biostimulant Regulation has come under sharp focus following the central government’s new directives aimed at protecting farmers and ensuring product efficacy. The Union Agriculture Ministry, under Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, recently instructed all states to stop the coercive practice of forcing farmers to purchase biostimulants alongside subsidised fertilisers. This comes amid rising farmer complaints and concerns over the unregulated proliferation of biostimulant products in the Indian market.
What Are Biostimulants?
Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms used to stimulate plant growth, enhance nutrient uptake, and improve crop resilience to stress. Unlike fertilisers that supply nutrients or pesticides that eliminate pests, biostimulants work by boosting the plant’s internal processes. These may include botanical extracts, amino acids, vitamins, seaweed extracts, or beneficial microbes. While they offer promise in sustainable agriculture, their impact varies greatly based on quality, composition, and application methods.
Rapid Market Growth and Rising Risks
India’s biostimulant market was valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024, and it is projected to reach over USD 1.1 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.64%. However, this growth has been accompanied by a flood of unverified products, some of which have little or no scientific backing. Many manufacturers exploited legal grey areas to sell products without adequate testing or certification, endangering farmer incomes and crop outcomes.
Regulatory Vacuum and Early Concerns
For years, biostimulants existed in a regulatory grey zone. Neither the Fertiliser (Control) Order (FCO) of 1985 nor the Insecticides Act of 1968 directly addressed these products. In 2011, Indian courts flagged the absence of oversight on bioproducts being sold as fertiliser or pesticide alternatives. This prompted state-level enforcement actions and led to a broader national discussion on biostimulant regulation.
Framework Development and FCO Inclusion
Responding to the vacuum, NITI Aayog, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, created a framework for biostimulant regulation in 2017. This culminated in February 2021, when biostimulants were formally brought under the Fertiliser Control Order. This marked a turning point for India’s biostimulant regulation, as it empowered the government to define standards, enforce compliance, and monitor manufacturing and marketing practices.
Under this framework, biostimulants are now classified into eight broad categories, including botanical extracts, vitamins, amino acids, bio-chemicals, antioxidants, and microbial products. Each product must undergo rigorous scrutiny, including toxicity and bio-efficacy tests, before it can be approved for sale.
Testing and Safety Standards
Manufacturers must subject biostimulants to five acute toxicity tests on animals like rats and rabbits, and four eco-toxicity tests on species such as birds, fish, honeybees, and earthworms. Additionally, the presence of pesticides must not exceed 0.01 ppm, ensuring that biostimulants do not double as hidden pesticide cocktails.
To prove efficacy, field trials are conducted at various agro-climatic zones using multiple dosage levels. This is crucial to ensure the product works consistently across India’s diverse agricultural landscape.
Central Biostimulant Committee
The Central Biostimulant Committee, established in 2021, plays a key role in shaping India’s biostimulant policy. It advises the government on product approvals, testing standards, inclusion criteria, and even dispute resolution mechanisms. The committee includes scientists, regulators, and industry stakeholders, ensuring a science-based approach to regulation.
Recent Government Crackdown
Initially, biostimulant manufacturers were granted provisional registration for two years, allowing them to continue sales while applying for full regulatory approval. However, this provisional period, extended multiple times due to industry delays, finally expired on March 17, 2025.
After this deadline, no uncertified product can legally be sold, marking a significant moment in India’s biostimulant regulation journey. The Agriculture Ministry has since issued crop-specific biostimulant specifications for key crops such as paddy, tomato, and cotton to guide farmers and improve consistency in results.
Balancing Innovation and Farmer Protection
The tightening of India’s biostimulant regulation reflects the government’s efforts to balance agrochemical innovation with farmer safety. On one hand, biostimulants have the potential to reduce chemical fertiliser use, promote sustainability, and enhance crop resilience. On the other, unregulated products can cause severe losses, both in yield and income, especially for smallholder farmers.
Industry experts believe that the new rules will ultimately benefit reliable manufacturers while weeding out fly-by-night operators. More importantly, they pave the way for scientific innovation, transparent labeling, and better farmer awareness.
Conclusion
India’s agricultural future depends on smart, sustainable inputs—and biostimulants are a vital part of this ecosystem. By bringing them under the FCO, ensuring rigorous testing, and cracking down on non-compliance, India’s biostimulant regulation is taking firm steps to protect its farmers and promote trust in agricultural inputs. The road ahead requires continued vigilance, farmer education, and regulatory flexibility to adapt to new discoveries in plant biology and biotechnology.
