Why in news?
The Union Agriculture Ministry has revoked approval for 11 biostimulants derived from animal sources such as chicken feathers, pig tissue, bovine hide, and cod scales. These products, earlier cleared for use in crops like paddy, tomato, potato, cucumber, and chilli, were withdrawn following complaints citing “religious and dietary restrictions.”
What’s in Today’s Article?
- Biostimulants: An Overview
- Centre Withdraws Approval for Animal-Based Biostimulants
Biostimulants: An Overview
- These are natural or synthetic substances that enhance plant growth, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance, without being traditional fertilizers or pesticides.
- It can be derived from plant extracts, microorganisms, animal by-products, or synthetic compounds.
- Importantly, biostimulants are distinct from pesticides or plant growth regulators, which are covered under the Insecticide Act, 1968.
- Examples of Biostimulants with Uses
- Seaweed extracts: Improve root growth, enhance flowering, and increase resistance to drought and salinity.
- Humic & fulvic acids: Boost nutrient absorption and soil fertility.
- Protein hydrolysates & amino acids: Promote early plant growth, increase yield and fruit quality.
- Microbial inoculants (e.g., Azotobacter, Mycorrhizae): Aid in nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and better soil health.
- Chitosan (from crustacean shells): Enhances plant defense mechanisms against pests and diseases.
- Advantages
- Improve nutrient use efficiency, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
- Enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stresses like drought, heat, or salinity.
- Contribute to higher yields and better quality produce (size, color, taste).
- Promote soil health and microbial activity, supporting sustainable agriculture.
- Environmentally friendly alternative compared to excessive agrochemical use.
- Regulation of Biostimulants in India
- These are regulated under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, formally included through a 2021 amendment.
- Manufacturers must register products in Schedule VI with detailed data on chemistry, bio-efficacy, toxicology, and heavy metals.
- Oversight lies with the Central Biostimulant Committee.
- India’s Biostimulants Market
- India’s biostimulants market, valued at US$ 355.53 million in 2024, is projected to rise to US$ 1,135.96 million by 2032.
- Major producers include Coromandel International, Syngenta, and Godrej Agrovet.
- Biostimulants are typically sold in liquid form and applied to crops via spraying.
Centre Withdraws Approval for Animal-Based Biostimulants
- The government has withdrawn approval for 11 biostimulants derived from animal-based protein hydrolysates—made from bovine hide, chicken feathers, pig tissue, cod scales, sardines, and other animal parts.
- These biostimulants were earlier cleared for crops like paddy, tomato, chilli, cotton, cucumber, soybean, grapes, and green gram.
- Regulatory Action
- The move came via a recent notification, which omitted these products from Schedule VI of the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985.
- Though cleared earlier this year by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR later withheld permission citing ethical, religious, and dietary concerns.
- It stressed the need for pre-harvest interval data before allowing animal-derived foliar sprays.
- Regulatory Evolution
- Biostimulants, distinct from fertilisers, are used mainly as sprays to boost crop yield, quality, and growth.
- Until 2021, they were freely sold without specific rules on safety or efficacy.
- The 2021 amendment to the FCO mandated registration and proof of safety, but companies could continue sales until June 16, 2025, if applications were filed.
- Minister’s Concerns on Market Proliferation
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the rampant sale of unregulated biostimulants, with nearly 30,000 products in circulation earlier.
- Even after stricter checks, about 8,000 remained in the last four years, but the crackdown has now reduced this to around 650 products.
