Bio-stimulant comes under rules that apply to fertiliser

The government has brought biostimulants under rules that govern fertiliser and other crop nutrients used to enhance the productivity of the soil. This will help regulate the Rs 1,500 crore market of biostimulants that promise farmers higher yields, quality and other benefits from the use of various compounds and microorganisms.

Unlike fertilisers and pesticides, these products were not regulated earlier and were sold without a certification of their efficacy, said, officials. The government will set up a regulatory body for such products, they said. ET was the first to report that the government was planning to frame guidelines to govern the use of biostimulants.