Biostimulants | 19 Jul 2025

Source: ET 

In the recently held ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, the Union Agriculture Minister emphasized the issue of unregulated sale of biostimulants and announced that only those biostimulants that meet all necessary criteria and are scientifically proven to be beneficial to farmers will be approved.  

  • These approvals will be granted solely based on scientific validation. 

Biostimulants 

  • About: Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms (such as beneficial bacteria, fungi, or plant extracts) that, when applied to seeds, plants, or soil, stimulate natural plant processes. 
    • Biostimulants enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, crop quality. 
  • Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture: 
    • Improving plant tolerance to abiotic stress on plants, including drought, extreme temperatures (cold, frost, and heat), and salinity 
    • Enhancing uptake and efficient use of nutrients, both applied and existing 
    • Improving soil health by enhancing beneficial soil microorganisms 
    • Enhancing crop quality through plant health and vigor 
    • Increasing harvestable yields 

Classification of Biostimulants  

Biostimulants  

Description 

Examples 

Humic and Fulvic Acids 

Soil organic matter from plant, animal, and microbial residues. 

Peat, leonardite, soft coal 

Seaweed Extracts 

Derived through different extraction processes. 

Soluble powders or liquid extracts  

Liquid Manure Composting 

Manure mixed with proprietary materials to promote microbial growth. 

Liquid biofertilizer from composted manure 

Beneficial Bacteria and Fungi 

Bacteria and fungi that aid in root growth. 

Bacillus, Rhizobium fungi 
  • Market Outlook in India: The biostimulants market in India was valued at approximately USD 355-362 million in 2024 and is projected to reach between USD 1.13 billion and USD 1.2 billion by 2032. 
  • Related Provisions: In India, the biostimulants are regulated via the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) Control Order (FCO), 1985, amended recently in 2024 and 2025. 
    • The Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, administered by the Department of Agriculture Cooperation, has been issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 

Initiatives Related to Organic Farming