Centre withdraws approval for animal protein-based biostimulants citing religious, dietary concerns
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New Delhi: The Union Agriculture Ministry has reportedly withdrawn approval for 11 biostimulants derived from animal sources, including chicken feathers, pig tissue, bovine hide, and cod scales, just months after clearing them for agricultural use.
The decision followed complaints made to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s office by “individuals” from the Hindu and Jain communities, as reported by The Indian Express on Friday.
Biostimulants is a substance or microorganism, or a combination of both, that enhance plant health and productivity by improving nutrient uptake, growth, and resistance to stress. Unlike fertilisers or pesticides, they neither supply nutrients directly nor control pests.
The Centre’s decision is directed at one of the most common types of biostimulants: protein hydrolysate, which is a mixture of amino acids and peptides formed by breaking down proteins. They comprise different doses used for green gram, tomato, chilli, cotton, cucumber, hot pepper, soybean, grapes and paddy. The animal sources they rely on include bovine hide, hair and tanned skin; chicken feathers; pig tissue; skin, bones and scales of cod; and, a variety of sardine, added the report.
Biostimulants are commonly sold across the counter in liquid form and sprayed on crops.
These biostimulants were added to Schedule VI of the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order (FCO), 1985, through separate notifications earlier this year after the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) cleared them.
ICAR Director-General Mangi Lal Jat clarified that permission for these animal source-based biostimulants had been “withheld”. “No new category of biostimulants, which were not already in the market, were recommended for marketing. However, to avoid ethical issues and conflict with religious and dietary restrictions, biostimulants having protein hydrolysates derived from animal sources notified in the FCO were withheld till proper pre-harvest interval data (time between spraying and harvesting) is generated when the biostimulant is used as foliar spray (direct application on leaves),” TIE quoted Jat as saying.
India’s biostimulants market, valued at US$ 355.53 million in 2024, is projected to grow to US$ 1,135.96 million by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. Leading companies in India’s biostimulant sector reportedly include Coromandel International, Syngenta, and Godrej Agrovet.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
