In a high-impact Business-to-Government (B2G) roundtable hosted at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, the Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) brought together policymakers, regulators, scientists, and industry leaders under the theme: “Innovate, Regulate, Elevate: Shaping India’s Fertilizer Future.” The conference focused on driving progressive reforms in India’s non-subsidized fertilizer sector through meaningful dialogue and collaborative action.
Industry Stresses Urgency for Reform
Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, President – IMMA, underscored the importance of aligning regulatory frameworks with innovation and sustainability. “The roundtable reflects our collective resolve to shape a forward-looking fertilizer ecosystem—one that enables innovation, protects farmer trust, and aligns with sustainability imperatives.”
Sameer Pathare, Vice President – IMMA, said, “Each of the six points on today’s agenda represents a live issue affecting our members. Today, we took a decisive step toward collaborative problem-solving.”
Call for Modernization of Fertilizer Grades
One of the key issues discussed was the urgent need to update state-notified fertilizer grades. Experts advocated for soil-specific nutrient formulations based on open-source soil health data.
Dr. A.K. Nayak, DDG – Natural Resource Management, ICAR, stated, “Sustainable soil health management requires updated nutrient formulations. FCO inclusion must be supported by efficacy data—not just truthful labelling.”
Counterfeit Control: Industry-Led Self-Regulation Gains Support
IMMA’s anti-counterfeiting initiative emerged as a standout example of effective self-regulation.
Dr. Shyam Babu, Director – CFQC&TI, Faridabad, extended support to co-develop qualitative on-site testing kits. Dr. Debashis Mandal, Head – Soil Science, ICAR-Pusa, emphasized that the partnership would strengthen farmer and dealer confidence through reliable verification mechanisms.
Push for “One Nation, One Licence”
A key reform proposal was the introduction of a unified digital licensing system under the “One Nation, One Licence” framework. Dr. Mirchandani proposed a centralized repository to eliminate duplication in document submissions and improve regulatory transparency. The idea received strong backing from other key associations, including SFIA, FAI, BASAI, and BIPA, who committed to co-developing a white paper to formalize the proposal and advocate with the government.
Bio-stimulant Regulation: Bridging the Readiness Gap
The implementation of new bio-stimulant norms post June 16 sparked concern among industry players. Gaps in lab readiness and transitional compliance were highlighted.
Dr. Shyam Babu acknowledged the challenge, noting ongoing training for chemists and labs.
IMMA recommended:
*Allowing sale of pre-June 16 stock until expiry
*Provisional approval of NABL-accredited labs until state labs are ready
*These suggestions aimed to ensure smooth transition while safeguarding market stability.
*Advocating Decriminalization under the ECA
The roundtable also delved into the decriminalization of non-subsidized fertilizer violations under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA). Government officials expressed receptivity and indicated readiness to explore inter-ministerial consultations on IMMA’s proposed legal reforms.
Time to Remove Non-Subsidized Fertilizers from ECA
IMMA made a strong case for removing non-subsidized fertilizers from the ambit of the ECA, citing the absence of shortages in fertilizer supply and food production. Dr. Mirchandani stressed that punitive provisions deter new entrants and should only apply to subsidized products, while non-subsidized inputs should be governed by market-based regulations.
Export Liberalization: Unlocking India’s Global Potential
IMMA urged the government to remove non-subsidized fertilizers from the restricted list to boost India’s global competitiveness. “India possesses the technology, quality, and cost advantage to become the fertilizer factory of the world,” stated Dr. Mirchandani. He emphasized that permit systems must not hinder export opportunities, especially when the products have no connection to subsidies or government-supplied raw materials.
Next Steps: From Dialogue to Action
Vaibhav Kashikar, Past President – IMMA, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to sustained advocacy, “This roundtable reaffirmed our belief in policy through partnership. IMMA will now convert today’s inputs into actionable proposals and engage with all relevant departments.”
Key Action Points Identified
*White paper development for unified digital licensing reform
*Submission of anti-counterfeiting toolkit proposal to CFQC&TI
*Joint memorandum on FCO amendment and bio-stimulant testing roadmap
*Drafting a legal note on ECA decriminalization via compounding provisions
Conclusion
As per the press release, the IMMA B2G Roundtable concluded on a high note, with a renewed push to enable innovation, simplify regulatory compliance, and position India as a global leader in non-subsidized fertilizer manufacturing and exports. The industry, backed by scientific and policy support, is poised to turn these recommendations into long-term, impactful reforms.
