Q1: What are the major challenges faced by the Indian Biostimulant industry in the global market?
A1: “The Indian biostimulant industry faces significant challenges in the global market, including tariffs ranging from 15-28% in key markets, non-tariff barriers such as origin-specific efficacy trials and residue testing, and the absence of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with major blocs like the EU and ASEAN. These barriers hinder our ability to compete fairly and access global markets.”
Q2: How can the Indian government support the growth of the biostimulant industry?
A2: “The government can support the industry by providing clear, science-driven, and industry-aligned regulations. This includes declaring biostimulants as a strategic sector for agricultural sustainability, developing a National Tariff Strategy Taskforce, and releasing ICAR-validated product lists and clear bioefficacy SOPs. Such measures will enable Indian manufacturers to compete globally and meet international standards.”
Q3: What opportunities does India have in the biostimulant market, given its natural advantages?
A3: “India has enormous natural advantages, including a 7,500 km coastline for scalable seaweed cultivation and lignite-rich belts for humic acid extraction. With these resources and a vibrant MSME ecosystem, India can lead the global biostimulant industry. By leveraging these advantages, we can scale up our industry to ₹15,000 crore by 2030 and create employment opportunities for over 1 lakh skilled agri-workers and biotech professionals.”
Q4: How does the current regulatory framework impact Indian biostimulant manufacturers?
A4: “The current regulatory framework is ambiguous and creates significant challenges for Indian biostimulant manufacturers. Delays in product approvals under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) and the lack of dedicated testing protocols for natural substances hinder our ability to innovate and grow. Moreover, the absence of alignment between ICAR, MoA&FW, and State Fertilizer Controllers creates chaos in implementation, further exacerbating the issue.”
Q5: What message do you want to convey to the policymakers regarding the biostimulant industry?
A5: “The Indian biostimulant industry is not seeking subsidies; instead, we need respect, reform, and recognition. Policymakers must understand that with the right policies and support, India can become a global leader in the biostimulant industry. We urge the PMO to lead from the front and ensure that Indian manufacturers are not reduced to contract packers for foreign firms. India must be the brand, not just the factory.”
Q6: How can the MSME sector benefit from the growth of the biostimulant industry?
A6: “The MSME sector can significantly benefit from the growth of the biostimulant industry. With the right policies and support, MSMEs can scale production for both domestic and international markets, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the country’s economy. The Ministry of MSME can play a crucial role by launching a Biostimulant Export Facilitation Program, funding global registrations, efficacy trials, and trade delegations, and enabling tech-transfer of validated ICAR products at concessional rates.”
