New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- The fertiliser sector specialising in biostimulants is facing fresh regulatory pressures following the February 2025 amendment to the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO).

Previously unregulated, biostimulants now fall under strict controls-driving up compliance costs and threatening the survival of many small-scale manufacturers.

According to Rajib Chakraborty, President of the Soluble Fertiliser Industry Association (SFIA), the industry was caught off guard.

"The industry is not fully ready to adopt the new regulations. Many small SMEs . will be wiped out in the process," he warned, citing inadequate digitization, manpower, and resource gaps.

The new rules require all biostimulant formulations to undergo testing at a...