News: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare notifies 34 more biostimulants under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), increasing the total to over 45. Biostimulants
About Biostimulants
- Biostimulants are biologically derived substances or microorganisms applied to plants or soil to enhance nutrient uptake, improve plant tolerance to abiotic (e.g., drought, salinity) and biotic (e.g., pests, diseases) stresses, and generally promote plant growth and productivity.
- Unlike conventional fertilizers or pesticides, biostimulants act through multiple non-nutritional mechanisms and are considered eco-friendly alternatives for sustainable agriculture.
- Market and prospects: The India biostimulants market size was valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024.
- The market is projected to grow from USD 410.78 million in 2025 to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.64% during the forecast period.
- Significance
- The biostimulant formulations are beneficial in mitigating climate change challenges like biotic and abiotic stresses.
- These products help in better uptake of nutrients, which are excessively available in the soil itself, providing them more vigor.
- These products are also looked upon as a product range, which helps across reduction in chemical agri-inputs.
About Fertilizer (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985 (FCO 1985)
- The Order is issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
- It includes biostimulant under Schedule VI.
- It aims to regulate the sale, price, and quality of fertilizers in India.
- It defines what substances qualify as fertilizers, specifies quality standards, and outlines procedures for obtaining licenses/registrations for fertilizer manufacturers and dealers.
- Category of biostimulants includes botanical extracts including seaweed extracts, bio-chemicals, protein hydrolysates and amino acids, vitamins, cell free microbial products, antioxidants, anti-transpirants, humic and fulvic acids and their derivatives among others.
