New Delhi: The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) has urged state governments to reconsider restrictions on the sale of non-subsidised fertilisers and speciality crop nutrition products, warning that the curbs could limit farmers’ access to approved agricultural inputs ahead of the Rabi season.
The restrictions, introduced in states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar, affect companies that supply subsidised fertilisers as well as specialised crop nutrition products regulated under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985.
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FAI said farmers need access to crop- and soil-specific nutrition solutions to address nutrient deficiencies, improve soil health and enhance nutrient- and water-use efficiency. These products include micronutrients, water-soluble fertilisers, beneficial element fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, bio-stimulants, nano-fertilisers and liquid and organic-based inputs.
According to the association, these specialised products complement conventional fertilisers and can help improve crop productivity, produce quality and the efficiency of nutrient management, particularly amid changing climatic conditions.
FAI also warned that the restrictions could affect investment in research and development, product innovation, field extension services and farmer outreach by the fertiliser industry. Reduced access to products from established manufacturers could push farmers towards alternative products, with potential implications for soil health, crop yields and produce quality.
The association said the issue is particularly significant for high-value and export-oriented crops, where appropriate crop nutrition and consistent produce quality are important for improving farm returns.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Director General of FAI, said farmers must have access to approved innovations in crop nutrition to improve agricultural productivity sustainably.
“The FCO provides a national regulatory framework for these products. State-level restrictions, however, can result in products approved within this framework becoming inaccessible to farmers in individual markets. We need a predictable, science-based approach that protects farmers while also enabling them to adopt modern agricultural solutions,” Chaudhari said.
FAI acknowledged that the restrictions are partly aimed at curbing forced tagging, a practice in which the purchase of subsidised fertilisers is linked to the compulsory purchase of other products. The association said it opposes such practices and supports strict action against companies, distributors and retailers found engaging in them.
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However, FAI argued that enforcement should target forced tagging rather than restrict legitimate products and voluntary transactions. It also maintained that the supply and allocation of subsidised fertilisers are governed by Central and State Government directives, rather than being determined solely by individual companies.
The association cited Madhya Pradesh as an example of an approach under which action against forced tagging has been pursued while farmers continue to have access to both subsidised and non-subsidised fertilisers.
FAI reiterated the fertiliser industry's commitment to working with the Central and State Governments to promote responsible marketing, balanced nutrient management and access to quality agricultural inputs.
It urged state governments to adopt a targeted enforcement approach that prevents forced sales while preserving farmers' freedom to choose approved crop nutrition products according to their agricultural needs.
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