The Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA) has come out in support of an order issued by the Uttar Pradesh government, banning tagging of non-subsidised fertilisers, saying the step will help establish fairness and transparency in the distribution system.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, SFIA’s general secretary Vinod Goyal said: “We express our heartfelt appreciation for the recent regulatory reforms undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh government to eliminate the practice of tagging and reselling non-subsidized fertilizers.”
Tagging is a coercive practice in the fertilizer industry, where dealers force farmers to purchase non-subsidised products (such as micro-nutrients or biostimulants) along with high-demand subsidised fertilizers such as urea or DAP. This increases cultivation costs.
Stating that SFIA is a recognised organisation representing MSME manufacturers, importers, and distributors in the non-subsidised fertiliser sector at the national level, he said the state government’s initiative is a progressive step towards establishing fairness and transparency in the distribution system.
Promoting balanced fertilizers
“By providing farmers with the opportunity to choose from a variety of modern technologies and nutrient solutions, it empowers them to make informed decisions based on their financial needs. Furthermore, it provides long-needed relief to MSMEs seeking equal rights for these small units,” he said.
Assuring commitments of SFIA and its partner organizations, Goyal said that together with the state government, they would promote balanced fertilizer use, innovation-driven agriculture, and farmer-led development.
“The decision of Uttar Pradesh government to prohibit the forced sale (tagging) of non-subsidized fertilizers is a forward-looking initiative. This will significantly enhance fairness in the fertilizer distribution, while empowering farmers with the freedom to choose products best suited to their crop and soil requirements,” said Rajib Chakraborty, President, SFIA.
Stressing that SFIA has been consistently advocating balanced and competitive market environment where MSME manufacturers, importers, and retailers can operate on a level playing field, he said the decision will help ensure equal opportunities for all stakeholders and will further encourage innovation-driven agriculture.
Other states should also adopt similar reforms to strengthen a farmer-centric and transparent agricultural ecosystem across the country, he said.
Published on February 24, 2026