What are Biostimulants?

• The Union Agriculture Ministry has recently withdrawn approval for 11 animal-derived biostimulants, citing concerns related to religious and dietary restrictions.

About Biostimulants

• Biostimulants are natural or biologically derived substances that enhance plant growth and resilience, especially under stress conditions like drought, heat or pests.
• Unlike traditional fertilizers (which provide direct nutrients like N, P, K), biostimulants improve nutrient uptake efficiency & boost plant metabolism. They do not directly provide nutrients like fertilisers nor function as pesticides.
• Sources: Biostimulants are derived from microbes, algae, seaweed extracts, humic acids, protein hydrolysates, beneficial microorganisms, and composted organic matter.
• Objective: Improve crop quality, yield & stress tolerance with reduced chemical input dependency.
• Category of Biostimulants: Biological (Seaweed Extracts), Organic (Humic, Fulvic Acid), Protein based compounds (Amino Acid Blends), bio-chemicals (Antioxidants, Anti-transpirants), etc.

Biostimulants Regulation Framework in India

• Regulated by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985.
  • In 2021, biostimulants were officially added as a distinct category of Agri-inputs.
• No biostimulant can be manufactured, sold, or imported unless it is notified and listed in Schedule VI of the Fertiliser Control Order by the Central Government.
  • Schedule VI of the 2021 FCO amendment categorises nine groups of biostimulants with specified standards and claims.
• The Central Biostimulant Committee was formed in 2021 under the Ministry of Agriculture to review evidence, set specifications, and advise the government.
• Residue Limit: The permissible pesticide residue limit for biostimulants, initially 0.01 ppm, was increased to 1.0 ppm through a 2024 amendment.

Biostimulants Landscape in India

• Market Growth: The Indian biostimulant market was valued at $355 million in 2024 and is projected to surpass USD 1.13 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 15%.
• Major Crops: Cereals such as wheat, rice, and maize account for the largest share due to their cultivation scale and responsiveness to biostimulants.
• Active Ingredient: Seaweed extracts dominate as the largest ingredient segment because of proven efficacy, availability, and favourable regulatory recognition.
• Common Application: Foliar spraying is the most prevalent method, enabling rapid nutrient uptake and improved stress resilience in crops.