India Notifies Standard Pack Sizes for Bio-Fertilisers Under FCO; Effective April 1, 2026
28 March 2026, New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued a new notification standardising the packaging of bio-fertilisers under the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985 (FCO), in a move aimed at improving product uniformity and regulatory compliance across the sector.
Issued by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the notification (S.O. 1567(E)) specifies the approved weight of bags or packets in which bio-fertilisers must be packed for sale. The standardisation is expected to bring greater clarity for manufacturers, distributors, and farmers, while also strengthening quality control measures in the fast-growing bio-inputs market.
Specified Pack Sizes for Bio-fertilisers (As per Notification S.O. 1567(E))
| S. No. | Name of Bio-fertiliser | Weight of Bags/Packets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) | Minimum 500 g (100 g for spore-based mycorrhizal formulations) and Maximum 5 kg |
| 2 | Carrier-based Biofertilisers | Minimum 200 g and Maximum up to 1 kg |
| 3 | Liquid Biofertilisers | Minimum 50 mL and Maximum 1 litre |
According to the notification, the new packaging norms will come into force from April 1, 2026. However, the government has provided a transition provision, stating that the rules will not apply to products already packed before the date of publication, allowing such inventory to be sold until the end of its declared shelf life.
The directive has been issued under the authority of the Central Government in pursuance of Clause 21(c) of the FCO, a key regulatory framework governing fertiliser quality, distribution, and sale in India.
Industry observers note that the move aligns with the government’s broader push to promote sustainable agriculture and increase adoption of bio-fertilisers, while ensuring traceability and consistency in product offerings.
The notification was signed by Franklin L. Khobung, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
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