15 July 2025, New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has issued a stern directive to all States and Union Territories to immediately stop the practice of forced tagging of nano-fertilizers and biostimulant products with conventional fertilizers. This move comes as part of the Centre’s broader campaign to protect farmers from exploitative practices in the agricultural input supply chain.
Forced tagging refers to the bundling of supplementary products such as nano-fertilizers or biostimulants with traditional fertilizers, often compelling farmers to buy them as a package, even if they do not need or understand the additional products. Minister Chouhan emphasized that such practices are not only unethical but also illegal under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985. They burden farmers with unnecessary expenses and violate their freedom to choose inputs based on specific crop and soil requirements.
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In his communication to Chief Ministers, Chouhan made it clear that any entity whether manufacturers, distributors, or retailers found engaging in forced tagging would face strict legal action, including license cancellation, FIR registration, and prosecution. He called upon States to conduct rigorous inspections and monitoring at all levels to ensure compliance with the directive.
The Minister also urged State governments to create awareness among farmers so they can identify and report instances of forced tagging. He stressed the importance of educating farmers about their rights and ensuring transparency in the sale and distribution of agricultural inputs.
This initiative forms a key part of the Union Government’s nationwide campaign to ensure the availability of high-quality, affordable fertilizers and to eliminate fake and substandard products from the market. Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to farmer welfare, adding that such exploitative practices must be rooted out to ensure trust and fairness in the agricultural system.
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