Strict Action Taken Against Fake Fertilizers and Malpractices to Protect Farmers

Strict Action Taken Against Fake Fertilizers and Malpractices to Protect Farmers

The Government of India has taken stringent steps to ensure the availability of quality fertilizers to farmers and to curb the manufacture and sale of fake fertilizers in the country.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt. Anupriya Patel informed that the Fertilizer (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) Control Order, 1985, administered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, strictly prohibits the manufacture or sale of fertilizers that do not meet prescribed standards. State Governments are the designated enforcement authorities responsible for taking action against violations, including cancellation or suspension of licenses and penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, which provides for imprisonment ranging from three months to seven years.

The Government of India monitors enforcement action taken by States against cases of black marketing, hoarding, sub-standard fertilizers and diversion on a weekly basis. Since April 2025, a total of 4,30,541 raids have been conducted across the country, resulting in 15,544 show-cause notices, 6,620 license suspensions or cancellations, and 794 FIRs being registered against defaulters.

Further, as per the information received from the State Governments, most States have reported that no factories and companies are found involved in the manufacturing of fake chemical fertilizers during the last five years. However, a few States have reported such cases against person/vendors and actions taken by them. The State of Chhattisgarh registered two FIRs; Haryana registered four FIRs; Karnataka registered 15 FIRs; Madhya Pradesh reported 16 cases of fake fertilizers and registered 14 FIRs; Maharashtra registered cases against 19 manufacturers involved in fake fertilizers; Odisha reported three cases; Rajasthan took action against 42 manufacturers of suspicious fertilizers; and Uttar Pradesh reported 36 cases during the last five years.

Furthermore, Government of India has declared fertilizers as an Essential Commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and has adequately empowered State Governments to prevent any form of tagging/forceful selling. However, DoF has issued instructions on regular basis to fertilizer companies and State Governments to discourage tagging of other products with subsidized fertilizers.

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