Agriculture Ministry explains biostimulant regulation under FCO; 146 products in Schedule VI
The Agriculture Ministry said on 9 September 2025 that only 146 biostimulant products have been included in Schedule VI of the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985, after provisional registrations covering more than 8,000 products ended.
Summary
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare said on 9 September 2025 that biostimulants were brought under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985 by a notification dated 23 February 2021, with Clause 20C providing for regulation of their quality. About 30,000 such products were in the market before their inclusion in the FCO. The FCO defines a biostimulant as a substance or micro-organism, or a combination of both, that stimulates physiological processes in plants to improve nutrient uptake, growth, yield, crop quality and stress tolerance, but excludes pesticides and plant growth regulators regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968. Provisional certificates were issued for more than 8,000 products as a temporary measure; this provisional registration, first valid for two years, was extended several times up to 16 June 2025. As of now, only 146 biostimulant products have been included in Schedule VI of the FCO.
Key facts
- Notification
- S.O. 882(E), 23 Feb 2021; Clause 20C of FCO, 1985
- Products before regulation
- ~30,000
- Provisional certificates (G3)
- 8,000+ products; final extension to 16 Jun 2025
- Included in Schedule VI
- 146 products
- Excluded
- Pesticides and plant growth regulators (Insecticides Act, 1968)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under which law/order are biostimulants regulated in India, following a notification of February 2021?
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Correct answer: C — Fertilizer Control Order, 1985
Notification S.O. 882(E) of 23 February 2021 included biostimulants in the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985, with Clause 20C providing for quality regulation; pesticides and plant growth regulators remain under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
Consider the following statements about biostimulant regulation in India: 1. Only 146 biostimulant products have so far been included in Schedule VI of the Fertilizer Control Order. 2. Plant growth regulators are classified as biostimulants under the Fertilizer Control Order. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the ministry. Statement 2 is incorrect: the FCO definition of biostimulant excludes pesticides and plant growth regulators, which are regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968.