Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked the state governments to immediately stop the “forced tagging” of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants along with conventional fertilisers like urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP).
In a letter to chief ministers, Chouhan highlighted complaints that retailers are not selling subsidised conventional fertilisers such as urea, DAP, etc. to farmers unless they purchase nano-fertilisers or biostimulants.
“It is illegal to forcibly force farmers to purchase other products by tagging them with conventional fertilizer bags,” Chouhan wrote.
Chouhan asked them to immediately stop the forced tagging of the nano-fertilizers and biostimulants with conventional fertilisers.
“Forced tagging of nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilizers should be stopped immediately. In such cases, legal action should be taken against the culprits as per law,” he wrote.
Chouhan also asked the chief ministers to take strict action against the sale of spurious and substandard fertilisers.
He said that agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, and to ensure stability in farmers’ income, it is essential to provide them with quality fertilisers at the right time, at affordable prices, and of standard quality.
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He said that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilisers is prohibited under the Fertiliser (Control) Order 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act 1955.
It is the responsibility of the states to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers at the right places and locations where it is required, he said. Therefore, states must strictly monitor and take swift action against activities such as black marketing, overpricing, and diversion of subsidised fertilisers, he added.
He urged the chief ministers to hold regular monitoring of fertiliser production and sale as well as to carry out sampling and testing to ensure strict control over spurious and substandard products.
“Strict legal action, including cancellation of licenses and registration of FIRs, should be taken against the culprits, and effective prosecution must be ensured to secure conviction,” he said.
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He also urged all states to launch a statewide campaign to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs from its roots.
Chouhan’s letter assumes significance amid his recent remarks about nano-fertilisers and biostimulants. During the Kharif 2025 conference, Chouhan flagged concerns about the inefficiency of nano urea. At a recent conference, he also questioned the usefulness of biostimulants.
