Overview

• On July 13, Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wrote to all state and union territory leaders instructing immediate action against the production and sale of counterfeit and substandard fertilisers.
• The directive prohibits forced tagging of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulant products with conventional fertilisers to curb illegal bundling practices.
• States must intensify sampling and testing of fertiliser products, cancel licences of non-compliant suppliers, file FIRs and secure convictions under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
• A nationwide campaign is to be launched to educate farmers and farmer groups on identifying genuine inputs, supported by new feedback and information systems.
• The ministry underlined that regular state-level monitoring will be essential to ensure sustained quality control and protect farmers’ crop yields and incomes.