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The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has withdrawn approval for the sale of 11 animal protein-based biostimulants, citing religious and dietary sensitivities.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

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.