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New Delhi: The Union Agriculture Ministry has reportedly withdrawn approval for 11 biostimulants derived from animal sources, including chicken feathers, pig tissue, bovine hide, and cod scales, just months after clearing them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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Deve Gowda hints at NDA tie-up for local body, Panchayat polls
Bengaluru: JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has indicated that the party is open to an understanding with the NDA in the upcoming local body, taluk and zilla panchayat elections.
Speaking to reporters at J.P. Bhavan on Wednesday, he said the JD(S) is a regional party, while the BJP is a national party. “We have to wait and see what decision they take regarding a pre-poll alliance. As far as local body elections are concerned, we will discuss the matter together before taking a decision,” he said.
Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s allegation that the JD(S) does not give positions to anyone outside the family, Deve Gowda said the charge has no substance. “My memory is still strong. I will respond to everything at the appropriate time,” he remarked.
He also said that a JD(S) convention will be held in Vijayapura on February 27 and that he has been invited to participate in the event.
