Rajib Chakraborty, President, Soluble Fertiliser Industry Association
The Soluble Fertiliser Industry Association (SFIA) has urged the Centre to come up with a single national digital portal for all filings of fertilizer formulations to end the practices of repeatedly seeking State-level permissions and shorten the regulatory cycle.
Rajib Chakraborty, President, SFIA, told businessline in an online interaction that the portal should have an instant system generated acknowledgements and deemed approvals after prescribed timelines.
SFIA has mooted eight steps to the government think-tank NITI Aayog for reducing the fertilizer sector’s efforts going round for regulatory approvals. Calling for “One Nation, One Registration”, the SFIA President said once a manufacturer or product complies with the Fertiliser (Control) Order and is duly acknowledged or approved on the central portal, it should be valid across all States without additional registrations, annual no objection certificates or local renewals.
Eliminating duplication
“The advantages are clear. It eliminates duplication and inconsistent State level requirements, reduces discretion and procedural delays, and significantly lowers compliance costs especially for MSMEs and innovation driven companies,” he said.
Such a move will create a seamless national market, ensure uniform enforcement standards, and shorten the regulatory cycle. “Most importantly, it provides predictability and regulatory certainty, which are essential for indigenous manufacturing, R&D investment,” said Chakraborty.
The digital portal should have mandatory and functional State Fertilizer Committees with industry representation, standardised documentation across States, upgraded and time-bound laboratory testing, uniform inspection protocols, and periodic performance review of States.
SFIA has made suggestions for an industry-friendly regulatory framework for the sector with NITI Aayog. The association president said the framework will not dilute the standards but replace discretion and criminalisation with transparent, technology-driven and national uniform compliance.
Trust-based regulation
The association is seeking “One Nation, One registration” of formulations to eliminate repetitive State level permissions. “Enforcement should clearly distinguish between minor deficiencies and deliberate fraud, moving toward graded monetary penalties instead of automatic criminal prosecution,” said Chakraborty.
Trust-based regulation will uphold quality while promoting ease of doing business and indigenous manufacturing in line with the spirit of Jan Vishwas, he said.
Stating that the fertilizer sector requires reform anchored firmly in the Jan Vishwas Siddhant, he said it was a governance philosophy built on trust, decriminalisation, proportionality, and technology enabled transparency.
While the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 has safeguarded quality standards, its continued operation under the Essential Commodities framework reflects a control-oriented mindset inconsistent with Jan Vishwas principles, said the SFIA President.
Reflecting commitment
Jan Vishwas calls for reducing criminal provisions, eliminating redundant compliance, and replacing discretion with digital, rule based systems.
SFIA has been encouraged by the government’s proactive approach and it was reassuring that NITI Aayog has taken cognisance of the concerns raised by stakeholders, Chakraborty said.
The government think tank invited detailed policy inputs on strengthening the regulatory framework in the sector. “This reflects a clear commitment to consultative and evidence based policymaking.
This signals an intent to move toward trust based, technology enabled, and compliance driven regulation. That is a very positive development for the sector,” he said.
The water soluble fertilizers, organic and bio stimulant sector’s products should be aligned with national priorities such as rationalisation of fertilizer subsidies and the broader “Nutrition for the Nation” agenda covering soil, human, and animal health, he said.
Published on February 26, 2026