In a decisive move to safeguard the interests of farmers and uphold the integrity of agricultural inputs, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, urging them to launch a focused campaign against counterfeit and substandard fertilizers.
In his letter, Shri Chouhan called for strict and immediate action to curb the sale of fake fertilizers, black marketing of subsidized products, and illegal practices such as forced tagging of nano and bio-stimulant products alongside conventional fertilizers.
“Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy. To ensure stable and rising incomes for our farmers, we must guarantee timely access to quality fertilizers at affordable prices,” the Minister stated. He emphasized that the circulation of fake or substandard fertilizers not only causes financial losses to farmers but also severely hampers crop productivity and soil health.
The Minister reminded the States that the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 — governed under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 — prohibits the sale of substandard fertilizers. He directed that violators must face strict legal consequences, including license cancellation, FIR registration, and criminal prosecution.
Key Directives to the States Include:
- Strict Monitoring and Enforcement: States must ensure the availability of fertilizers at required locations while preventing black marketing, overpricing, and diversion of subsidized products.
- Sampling and Quality Testing: Fertilizer production and sales should be regularly monitored through robust testing and sampling procedures to detect and eliminate substandard products.
- Ban on Forced Tagging: The practice of forcibly tagging nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulants with conventional fertilizers must be stopped immediately.
- Legal Action Against Offenders: States should initiate legal proceedings, cancel licenses of offending dealers or manufacturers, and ensure conviction through effective prosecution.
- Farmer Awareness and Feedback Systems: A mechanism should be developed to involve farmers and farmer groups in monitoring efforts. Special awareness drives must be conducted to help farmers identify genuine versus counterfeit products.
Shri Chouhan has urged all States and UTs to begin statewide campaigns as per these instructions to eliminate the menace of fake fertilizers from its roots. He stressed the importance of regular monitoring and strong coordination at the state level to ensure long-term, sustainable solutions.
“This is not just a regulatory requirement — it is a mission to protect our farmers and uphold the trust they place in our agricultural systems. Only with collective, decisive action can we ensure that Indian agriculture thrives on quality, integrity, and innovation,” Shri Chouhan concluded.
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