Centre To Enforce SOP For Stricter Regulation Of Biostimulants After Farmers’ Complaints: Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has criticised the unregulated sale of biostimulants lacking proven efficacy, reported The Times Of India.

In a review meeting on Tuesday (15 July), he criticised officials for failing to protect farmers' interests, questioning if the ministry and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are actually serving farmers' interests or simply helping private companies.

Biostimulants—applied to seeds, soil, or crops to boost natural growth—include substances like beneficial bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts.

Many such formulations lack validated field-trial data, even though the government regulates them under the amended Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) Control Order, 1985.

Chouhan said the government would not tolerate sales of unapproved products and promised action against unauthorised manufacturers.

He directed officials to ensure all biostimulants undergo scientific testing by ICAR to verify their effectiveness. Only those meeting rigorous standards would receive approval.

He told officials to create a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) for stricter regulation, saying, “Permission will now be given only after scientific approval and the entire responsibility for this will lie on the officials.”

The minister’s firm stance followed numerous farmer complaints he encountered during his fortnight-long “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan” campaign in May and June.

He said he was determined to act after listening to farmers’ concerns firsthand.

"After hearing the grievances of innocent farmers, I cannot sit idle. As the agriculture minister, it is my duty to act," he said, stressing that the government aims to safeguard farmers from dubious products that exploit them without delivering promised results.

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