Latest news with #Fertilizer(Control)Order
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Agriculture Minister directs states to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, has written to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, directing immediate and strict action against the issue of counterfeit and substandard fertilizers. This letter has been issued with the objective of curbing the sale of fake fertilizers, black marketing of subsidized fertilizers, and illegal activities such as forced tagging across the country. The Union Minister emphasized that agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, and to ensure stability in farmers' income, it is essential to provide them with quality fertilizers at the right time, at affordable prices, and of standard quality. He also highlighted that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilizers is prohibited under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Union Minister noted that it is the responsibility of the States to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers at the right places and locations where it is required. Therefore, States must strictly monitor and take swift action against activities such as black marketing, overpricing, and diversion of subsidized fertilizers. Regular monitoring of fertilizer production and sale, as well as strict control over counterfeit and substandard products through sampling and testing, must be carried out. Forced tagging of nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilizers should be stopped immediately.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chouhan urges States to act against sale of fake fertilizers
Union Agriculture Minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday (July 13, 2025) wrote to all Chief Ministers, urging them to take immediate and stringent action to curb the sale of counterfeit and substandard fertilizers across the country. In a letter addressed to the Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories, Mr. Chouhan stressed the need for consistent monitoring of fertilizer production and sales, and called for systematic sampling and testing to detect non-compliant products. Also Read | Fertilizers are source of several diseases; switch to organic farming, says Amit Shah 'Forced tagging of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulant products, along with conventional fertilizers, should be stopped immediately,' the Minister said. He further emphasised that strict legal action, including the cancellation of licences and registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), must be taken against those found guilty. 'Effective prosecution must be ensured to secure a conviction,' he added. To strengthen oversight mechanisms, Mr. Chouhan also called for the development of feedback and information systems that would involve farmers and farmer groups in monitoring efforts. He urged States to make special efforts to educate farmers on how to identify genuine and counterfeit fertilizers. The Minister requested all States to launch a statewide campaign to root out the issue of fake and substandard agricultural inputs. He said such efforts must be regularly monitored at the State level to arrive at a 'sustainable solution in the interest of farmers'. Mr. Chouhan underscored the need to ensure the timely availability of fertilizers of standard quality at affordable prices, saying, 'Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy.' 'This letter has been issued with the objective of curbing the sale of fake fertilizers, black marketing of subsidised fertilizers, and illegal activities, such as forced tagging across the country,' the official communication said. He also reminded States that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilizers is prohibited under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, which is governed by the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Chouhan urges state CMs to combat counterfeit fertilisers, forced tagging
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written a letter to the Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories, urging them to stop the forced tagging of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulant products with conventional fertilisers. He also called for strict action against the sale of substandard fertilizers and their black-marketing. Sources said that Chouhan's letter followed feedback from farmers during the fortnight-long 'Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan,' which concluded last month, as well as from interactions outside the campaign. The minister had also stated during a review meeting of the campaign that special steps, including stringent laws, should be enacted to curb the spread of spurious seeds and fertilisers among farmers. Regarding the forced tagging of nano products such as nano urea and nano-DAP with conventional fertilisers, sources noted that companies have often been found resorting to such practices to boost sales. He highlighted that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilisers is prohibited under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Furthermore, Chouhan stated in the letter that it is the responsibility of the states to ensure the adequate availability of fertilisers at the right places and locations where they are needed. Therefore, states must strictly monitor and take swift action against activities such as black-marketing, overpricing, and the diversion of subsidised fertilisers. He also instructed them to ensure regular monitoring of fertiliser production and sales, as well as strict control over counterfeit and substandard products through sampling and testing. On the forced tagging of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulant products with conventional fertilizers, Chouhan insisted that it should be 'stopped' immediately. 'Strict legal action, including the cancellation of licences and registration of FIRs, should be taken against the culprits, and effective prosecution must be ensured to secure conviction,' the statement said. The letter also directed states to develop feedback and information systems involving farmers or farmer groups in the monitoring process and to make special efforts to educate farmers on how to identify genuine and counterfeit products. Chouhan urged all states to launch a state-wide campaign in line with these directions to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs at its roots.
