Centre Withdraws Approval for Animal Protein-Based Biostimulants

4 Oct 2025

Centre Withdraws Approval for Animal Protein-Based Biostimulants

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has withdrawn approval for the sale of 11 animal protein-based biostimulants, citing religious and dietary sensitivities

  • The Agriculture Ministry’s notification (September 30, 2025) omitted 11 animal-derived biostimulants from Schedule VI of the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order (FCO), 1985.
    • These included protein hydrolysate formulations used for green gram, tomato, chilli, cotton, cucumber, soybean, grapes, hot pepper, and paddy.
  • The affected products were earlier cleared for use in paddy, tomato, chilli, cucumber, cotton, soybean, grapes, and green gram.
  • Animal sources: bovine hide, tanned skin, chicken feathers, pig tissue, cod bones and scales, and sardine.
  • These formulations were initially approved after ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) clearance earlier in the year.

What are Biostimulants?

  • Definition (FCO, 1985): Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that stimulate plant processes to improve nutrient uptake, growth, yield, quality, and stress tolerance.
  • They act on the plant’s metabolism but do not provide nutrients directly (like fertilizers) or control pests (like pesticides).
  • Application: Biostimulants are usually sold in liquid form and sprayed directly on crops.
  • India’s Biostimulants Market Size: Valued at US$ 355.53 million (2024); projected to reach US$ 1,135.96 million by 2032 (Fortune Business Insights).

Feature Biostimulants Fertilizers Pesticides
Function Stimulate natural plant processes Supply nutrients Control pests, weeds, or diseases
Mode of Action Act on plant physiology or soil microbiome without directly adding nutrients Work by directly increasing soil or plant nutrient content Chemical/biological pest control
Purpose Improve growth, yield, quality, stress tolerance Promote nutrition Protect crops
Examples Seaweed extracts, amino acids, humic substances Urea, DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), MOP (Muriate of Potash) Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides

Types of Biostimulants

  • Humic and Fulvic Acids – Improve soil structure and nutrient absorption.
  • Seaweed Extracts – Promote root growth and stress resistance.
  • Protein Hydrolysates & Amino Acids – Enhance enzyme activity and metabolism.
  • Microbial Biostimulants – Contain beneficial bacteria or fungi (e.g., Rhizobacteria, Mycorrhizae).
  • Chitosan & Other Biopolymers – Improve plant immunity and resistance to pathogens.
  • Inorganic Compounds – Contain trace elements that aid growth regulation.

Advantages of Biostimulants

  • Enhance Nutrient Efficiency: Improve nutrient uptake and fertilizer use efficiency.
  • Increase Yield and Quality: Promote better flowering, fruiting, and produce quality.
  • Boost Stress Tolerance: Help plants withstand drought, salinity, and temperature stress.
  • Eco-friendly: Reduce chemical use and environmental pollution.
  • Support Sustainable Agriculture: Align with organic and climate-resilient farming goals.

Concerns Related to Biostimulants

  • Unregulated Market: Many products were sold without quality control before 2021.
  • False Claims: Some manufacturers made unverified performance claims.
  • Lack of Standardization: Varied composition and uncertain efficacy.
  • Testing Challenges: Difficult to scientifically quantify benefits.
  • Safety Issues: Potential contamination if not produced under proper standards.

Regulatory Framework for Biostimulants in India

  • 2011:  The Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that any bioproduct claiming to substitute insecticides or fertilisers should undergo scrutiny before sale, prompting early state-level checks.
  • NITI Aayog & Agriculture Ministry (2017): Began drafting a regulatory framework for biostimulants.
  • Pre-2021: Biostimulants were sold freely for over a decade without any specific regulatory mechanism.
  • Post-2021 Regulation: The government brought biostimulants under the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order (FCO), 1985, requiring companies to register and prove safety and efficacy.
  • Transitional provision: Firms could sell products until June 16, 2025, if applications for approval were pending.
  • Central Biostimulant Committee (April 2021): Constituted for five years, chaired by the Agriculture Commissioner, with seven members.

Significance and Implications

  • Ethical and Cultural Sensitivity: Reflects the government’s responsive stance to religious and dietary beliefs, particularly among Hindu and Jain communities who object to animal-derived agricultural inputs.
  • Regulatory Strengthening: Part of a broader effort to ensure quality, safety, and traceability in the agricultural input market.
  • Impact on Agribusiness: Affects companies manufacturing or importing animal protein-based formulations.
  • Research and Compliance: Necessitates fresh data generation on pre-harvest intervals and safety for future consideration.
  • Environmental significance: Reducing unregulated bio-inputs ensures safer soil health and consumer safety.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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