India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for biological inputs, with biostimulants playing a central role in enhancing soil health, nutrient efficiency, and crop resilience.

Recognizing this, the Government of India has created a formal India biostimulant regulation framework through amendments to the Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO, 1985). A dedicated Schedule VI now defines categories, imposes standards, and mandates rigorous bio-efficacy trials under the national agricultural research system.

While the intent to protect farmers from spurious products is well-founded, the policy has exposed tensions between regulation and innovation. Large companies are better positioned to navigate compliance. By contrast, Indian MSMEs face high costs for multi-location trials and dossier preparation, risking a disadvantage to genuine local producers.

India’s evolving regulatory journey offers valuable lessons for the Global South. It shows the need for robust but proportionate compliance pathways, transparency, and support mechanisms for MSMEs. As global agriculture transitions toward biologicals, India’s experience highlights the fine balance between safeguarding farmer interests and nurturing domestic innovation.

What is the Latest?

• Biostimulants under FCO, 1985: Product-wise specs are now in Schedule VI. 2025 saw multiple amendments expanding the list and tightening bio-efficacy/quality requirements.
• Provisional registration (Form G-3) timelines were extended to June 16, 2025. Enforcement has since tightened.
• Centre’s stance: Standardize, stop fakes, and insist on science-backed products.
• Industry stance: Welcomes clarity but flags the compliance burden, analysis-method gaps, and state-level inconsistencies.
• Farmers: Longer-term benefit is cleaner labels and crop-specific recommendations.

What Changed Recently?

• February 23, 2021 – FCO amendment formalized the biostimulant pathway, including Form G-3 provisional registration.
• September 12, 2024 (S.O. 3922(E)) – Schedule VI, Part A substantially updated; biostimulants given category-wise specifications (e.g., humic/fulvic, seaweed, botanical extracts, etc.).
• March 2025 – Centre directs States/UTs to authorize sale under FCO and extends provisional window to June 16, 2025.
• May 26, 2025 (S.O. 2346(E)) – Further additions/clarifications to Schedule VI, Part A notified.
• August 13, 2025 – 6th–8th Amendment Orders add more entries and tighten rules, including bio-efficacy trials at ICAR/SAUs across three agro-ecological regions.

Total Biostimulants in Schedule VI of FCO

• May 2024: First 11 products registered.
• June 2025: 34 new products added, bringing the total to 45.
• More recent update: An additional 101 biostimulants notified under the FCO, taking the grand total to 146 formulations.

The Government’s Perspective

• Quality + farmer protection first: Warnings against fake/forced sales; only scientifically validated biostimulants permitted.
• Uniform roll-out: States/UTs asked to authorize sale under FCO to end the grey zone.
• Evidence requirements: Standard bio-efficacy trials (ICAR/SAUs) and clear composition specs in Schedule VI.

The Industry’s Perspective

• Clarity welcomed, execution hard: Compliance costs and time are heavy—especially for MSMEs.
• Gaps to fix: Regulatory gridlock, uneven state actions, and pending lab capacity.
• State divergence: Examples include stricter temporary halts vs. controlled liquidation, creating uncertainty.
• Recent relief: Delhi High Court (August 18, 2025) allowed operators to continue while applications are processed.

The Farmers’ Perspective

• Short-term: Stock movement pauses and availability confusion in stricter states.
• Medium-term: Clearer labels and crop/dose-specific recommendations under Schedule VI, improving consistency.
• Adoption pain points: Awareness, pricing, and trust; stronger extension and proof-on-farm are needed.

Key Takeaways

• Regulation has shifted from a grey zone to a full compliance regime under FCO.
• The government focuses on farmer protection and scientific validation.
• Industry faces compliance pressure but gains credibility for genuine products.
• Farmers should ultimately benefit through better quality, safer, and more effective biostimulants.

Advice for Manufacturers & Importers

• Map your SKUs against Schedule VI entries.
• Ensure bio-efficacy trials meet ICAR/SAU + three-region + multi-dose design.
• Tighten QC to Schedule VI specification/tolerance limits.
• Keep state authorizations current and maintain traceable labels.

Conclusion

India’s biostimulant regulation marks a decisive step toward farmer protection and product credibility. While it strengthens quality and trust, the high compliance burden risks sidelining MSMEs. Balancing strict standards with supportive measures will be key to ensuring both farmer welfare and a thriving biostimulant industry.

Bio-Stimulants FCO Approved Grades (Schedule VI)

A. Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid and their derivatives

• Humates (12.5%) (Liquid)
• Humates and Fulvates -22% (Liquid)
• Humic Acid 1.5% (Granules)
• Humic Acid 5% (Powder)
• Humic Acid 51% (Granular)
• Humic Acid 6% (Liquid)
• Humic and Fulvic Acid 25.05% (Liquid)
• Humic and Fulvic Acid 76% (Powder)
• Potassium Humate 49% (Powder)
• Humalite 100% (Granular Powder)
• Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid 19.5% (Liquid)
• Humalite 82% (Powder)
• Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid 85% (Powder)
• Humic Substance 16% (Liquid)
• Humic Substances 6% (Liquid)
• Humic Acid 0.27% (Liquid)
• Humic Acid 1% (Liquid)
• Humic Substances 1.5% (Granular)
• Humic Substances 6% (Liquid)
• Humic Acids 40% (Powder)
• Humic Acid 1.2% (Granules)
• Humic Acid 4% (Liquid)
• Humic Acid 50% (Powder)
• Humic