NEW DELHI, 5 August 2025: The Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) hosted a high-level Business-to-Government (B2G) Roundtable at the India Habitat Centre on Monday, laying out a comprehensive reform agenda for India’s non-subsidized fertilizer industry.
Held under the theme “Innovate, Regulate, Elevate: Shaping India’s Fertilizer Future,” the roundtable brought together key government officials, regulators, scientists, and industry stakeholders to discuss policy challenges and propose actionable solutions.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, President of IMMA, emphasized the need for a future-ready fertilizer ecosystem that fosters innovation while protecting farmer interests. “This roundtable reflects our collective resolve to shape a forward-looking fertilizer ecosystem—one that enables innovation, protects farmer trust, and aligns with sustainability imperatives,” he said.
Unified Digital Licensing Framework
A central reform proposed was the adoption of a “One Nation, One Licence” model to simplify regulatory processes across states. IMMA advocated for a centralized digital platform to eliminate redundant document submissions and streamline compliance for manufacturers. The proposal received backing from leading industry associations including SFIA, FAI, BASAI, and BIPA, with agreement to co-develop a white paper outlining the model.
Reform of FCO Grades and Biostimulant Testing
Participants also called for revision of state-notified fertilizer grades, with a shift toward soil-specific formulations using open-source soil health data. Dr. A.K. Nayak, DDG – NRM at ICAR, stressed that inclusion in the FCO (Fertilizer Control Order) Schedule should be based on efficacy data rather than mere label declarations.
The recently enforced biostimulant regulations also came under scrutiny, with the industry flagging transitional challenges. IMMA suggested temporary approvals for NABL-accredited private labs until state labs are equipped, and permission to sell pre-June 16 inventory until expiry. Dr. Shyam Babu, Director of CFQC&TI, assured the industry of ongoing training to bridge gaps.
Counterfeit Prevention and Farmer Trust
IMMA’s voluntary anti-counterfeiting initiative received appreciation as a proactive measure to protect product integrity and farmer trust. The association committed to submitting an anti-counterfeit toolkit to CFQC&TI for further development of on-site testing kits. Dr. Debashis Mandal, Head of Soil Science at ICAR-Pusa, underscored the positive impact of industry-regulator collaboration in boosting farmer confidence.
Decriminalization and ECA Amendments
Legal reform was another key point, with calls to decriminalize violations under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA) for non-subsidized fertilizers. Former Law Officer Shri H.P. Singh recommended clear differentiation between minor and major offences and suggested compounding provisions instead of punitive action. Dr. Mirchandani further argued for the removal of non-subsidized fertilizers from the ECA, stating that the sector now operates in a surplus environment and should be regulated through market-based norms.
Export Policy and Global Market Access
IMMA also pressed for the liberalization of export restrictions on non-subsidized fertilizers. “India has the technology, quality, and cost advantage to be the fertilizer factory of the world,” said Dr. Mirchandani. He urged the government to decouple export permissions from subsidy linkages and raw material dependencies, citing their incompatibility with India’s Make in India goals.
Action Plan and Next Steps
Summing up the discussion, Vaibhav Kashikar, Past President of IMMA, stated, “This roundtable reaffirmed our belief in policy through partnership. IMMA will convert today’s discussions into actionable proposals and initiate follow-ups with the concerned departments.”
Key Action Items Identified
- Drafting a white paper for unified digital licensing reform
- Submission of anti-counterfeit proposal to CFQC&TI
- Joint memo on FCO amendment and biostimulant testing framework
- Legal note on decriminalization under ECA through compounding
The roundtable concluded on a note of optimism, signaling a renewed industry-government partnership to enable innovation, simplify regulation, and position India as a global hub for non-subsidized fertilizer production.
