India is witnessing shift in agriculture with the growing adoption of biostimulants. These natural products enhance plant growth and resilience without relying on chemical fertilisers or pesticides. This trend aligns with the need for sustainable farming amid climate change and soil degradation. The biostimulant sector is expanding rapidly, offering new opportunities for farmers, industries, and exports.
What Are Biostimulants?
Biostimulants are natural substances or microorganisms. They include seaweed extracts, humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, vitamins, and beneficial microbes. Unlike fertilisers, biostimulants activate plants’ internal processes. This boosts nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and crop yields. They work in both organic and conventional farming systems.
Market Growth and Drivers
India’s biostimulant market is expected to reach USD 1.13 billion by 2032. It is growing at a compound annual growth rate of over 15 per cent. Key drivers include rising demand for eco-friendly farming, government support, and the urgent need for climate-resilient crops. Biostimulants help reduce environmental harm while improving productivity.
India’s Export Potential
India’s biodiversity and agricultural expertise position it as a global leader in biostimulant innovation. Indian companies export these products to more than 45 countries, including markets in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Indian firms are obtaining international certifications like REACH, ISO, and EU standards to meet global quality requirements. This enhances India’s competitiveness in sustainable agriculture exports.
Role of MSMEs in Innovation
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) drive local innovation and distribution of biostimulants. They face challenges such as regulatory hurdles, high compliance costs, and limited testing facilities. Experts recommend policies focused on MSMEs, including public bioefficacy testing centres, tiered licensing, subsidised data generation, and harmonised global standards to ease trade and approvals.
ICAR’s Contribution to Research
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) plays a key role in advancing biostimulant technology. ICAR develops standard operating procedures, validates crop-specific formulations, and sets bioefficacy benchmarks. It supports MSMEs by providing affordable access to research data and formulations. This reduces reliance on foreign technologies and promotes open innovation.
Policy Measures for Global Leadership
To strengthen India’s position as a biostimulant hub, policy steps are needed. These include export subsidies, eco-labelling, blockchain traceability, public-private R&D partnerships, and bilateral trade agreements on sustainable inputs. Indian firms already export to countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, UAE, Egypt, Spain, and Kenya. The sector’s growth supports India’s green agriculture and export ambitions.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Biostimulants contribute to sustainable agriculture by lowering chemical use and improving soil health. They help farmers adapt to climate stress and increase yields. This supports food security and rural livelihoods. The growth of this sector also creates new economic opportunities in manufacturing, research, and exports.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the role of biostimulants in promoting sustainable agriculture and their impact on soil health in India.
- Examine the challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the agricultural input sector and suggest policy measures to enhance their competitiveness.
- Analyse the significance of international standards and certifications such as REACH and ISO in facilitating India’s agricultural exports. How can they be leveraged for greater market access?
- Estimate the effects of climate change on Indian agriculture and discuss how innovations like biostimulants can help in building climate resilience among smallholder farmers.
