Government of India Directs Mandatory Printing of QR Codes on Biostimulant Product Labels to Curb Counterfeiting
15 October 2025, New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, has issued a new directive mandating the printing of QR codes on the labels of all biostimulant products. The order, released by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (INM Division – Bio-Stimulant Cell), aims to ensure transparency, protect farmers’ interests, and eliminate the circulation of counterfeit products in the market.
This directive follows the Ministry’s earlier communication dated September 24, 2025, which instructed all biostimulant manufacturers—through their respective associations—to include QR codes on their product labels. In response to several representations received from industry associations seeking clarification, the Ministry has reiterated that this initiative is essential for maintaining a safe and reliable ecosystem for biostimulant usage across the country.
Biostimulant products are notified under Schedule VI of the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, and the Government of India holds the responsibility of ensuring that only genuine products reach end users. The introduction of QR code labeling is expected to act as a strong deterrent against counterfeit and unregistered products. Through this digital labeling system, farmers will be able to verify the authenticity of the biostimulant product they purchase, thereby improving transparency and traceability in the agri-input supply chain.
The Ministry has directed all State and Union Territory Agriculture Departments to take necessary steps to ensure that only genuine biostimulant products are available for sale in the market. This measure not only safeguards the interests of farmers but also supports legitimate manufacturers who adhere to quality and regulatory standards.
The notification, signed by the Under Secretary to the Government of India, has also been circulated to all manufacturers through their respective associations for immediate compliance.
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