Why in the news?

Biostimulants

  • What are Biostimulants?
    • Biostimulants are substances or micro-organisms that stimulate natural plant processes independent of nutrient content.
    • They enhance nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, crop quality and improve resilience under climate variability.
    • They are part of eco-friendly, sustainable agriculture inputs.
  • Role and Benefits:
    • Improved Nutrient Use Efficiency: Promote better nutrient absorption, assimilation and mobilisation.
    • Soil Health & Carbon Sequestration: Enhance soil structure and fertility and support carbon sequestration, crucial for climate mitigation.
    • Climate Resilience: Help plants withstand drought, salinity, heat/cold stress.
    • Biodiversity Enhancement: Support soil microbes, improving ecological balance.
    • Circular Bioeconomy: Many products come from agri/food industry waste, adding value to waste streams.
    • Alignment with SDGs: Support
      • SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
      • SDG 13 (Climate Action)
      • SDG 15 (Life on Land)
      • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production)
  • Challenges in Adoption
    • Limited awareness among farmers.
    • Gaps in scientific understanding of plant responses.
    • Variable performance across soil types and agro-climatic zones.
    • Weak extension services; inadequate field demonstrations.
    • Market flooded with unregulated/substandard products, reducing trust.
  • Regulation in India
    • FCO Amendment 2021
      • Added under Fertiliser Control Order (Clause 20C).
      • Schedule VI classifies biostimulants into 9 categories.
    • Crop-wise Share
      • Vegetables 50%, cereals 18%, pulses & oilseeds 15%, fruits 9%, cash crops 7%.
    • Approval Requirements
      • Multi-location trials, toxicity studies, chemical profiling, heavy metal analysis.
  • Way Forward
    • Build farmer awareness, digital extension.
    • Strengthen R&D on plant physiology & formulations.
    • Streamlined approvals; strong quality control.
    • Infrastructure for seaweed and agro-waste processing.
    • Credit, subsidies for adoption.
    • Public–private partnerships & startup support.

Source: Down To Earth