Executive Summary:
This document addresses a query in the Lok Sabha regarding the sale of counterfeit fertilizers, particularly in Karnataka. It details the government's awareness of such incidents, the existing mechanisms to prevent them, guidelines for compensation and quality control, and plans to strengthen quality testing. The response was provided on August 8, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Incidents of Fake/Substandard Fertilizers:**
* The Karnataka government has reported instances of fake or substandard fertilizers being sold to farmers.
* Five FIRs have been filed in the current year: two for fake fertilizers in Bagalkot district and one for substandard fertilizers in Haveri district; decisions on two other cases are pending.
* **Existing Mechanisms for Detection and Prevention:**
* The Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) 1985 specifies fertilizer standards; non-compliant fertilizers cannot be sold for agricultural purposes.
* Clause 19 of the FCO prohibits the sale or manufacture of fertilizers not meeting prescribed standards.
* Sale of substandard/fake/adulterated fertilizers is punishable under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
* A district quality control mechanism exists for awareness and vigilance, with outreach to farmers via press notes, TV, Kishan Gosti, Krushimela, and Krushi Mahotsav.
* A vigilance wing, headed by the Additional Director of Agriculture and assisted by Joint Directors in four revenue sub-divisions, is in place under the Secretary of Agriculture's supervision.
* **Guidelines for Compensation and Quality Control:**
* The Karnataka government has not issued specific guidelines for timely compensation.
* Seven Fertilizer Control Laboratories are notified for testing samples, six of which are NABL accredited.
* Notified inspectors regularly inspect dealers, manufacturing units, and godowns, taking legal action against the sale of fake/substandard fertilizers as per the FCO, 1985.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
* Impact: Farmers are directly affected by the availability of fake or substandard fertilizers, impacting crop yield and potentially causing financial losses. They are the intended beneficiaries of the quality control measures and awareness programs.
* Action Required: Farmers should be vigilant and aware of the quality of fertilizers they purchase, utilizing resources provided by the government (press notes, TV talks, etc.) to identify genuine products.
State Government of Karnataka:
* Impact: The State Government is responsible for implementing and enforcing the FCO, monitoring fertilizer quality, and addressing incidents of fake or substandard fertilizers.
* Action Required: The State Government needs to continue vigilance, conduct inspections, and take legal action against offenders. They also need to maintain and improve the existing quality control mechanisms and laboratory infrastructure.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers:
* Impact: The Ministry is responsible for overseeing the implementation of fertilizer policies and addressing issues related to fertilizer quality nationwide.
* Action Required: The Ministry needs to monitor the actions taken by the State Government of Karnataka and ensure that the FCO is effectively enforced to prevent the sale of fake or substandard fertilizers.
Fertilizer Manufacturers and Dealers:
* Impact: Fertilizer manufacturers and dealers are subject to inspections and legal actions if they violate the FCO by selling fake or substandard products.
* Action Required: Manufacturers and dealers must ensure that their products meet the standards specified in the FCO to avoid penalties and maintain the integrity of the fertilizer supply chain.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Fertilizers: A department under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for the chemicals and fertilizers sector.
DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN: A member of LOK SABHA who raised a question about counterfeit fertilizers.
Karnataka: A state in India where incidents of fake or substandard fertilizers have been reported.
SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Fertilizer Control Order, 1985: A regulatory order that specifies the standards for fertilizers and prohibits the sale or manufacture of non-compliant fertilizers.
Essential Commodities Act, 1955: An act under which the sale of substandard/fake/adulterated fertilizers is punishable.
Haveri district, Karnataka: A district in Karnataka where cases of substandard fertilizers have been reported.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3410 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2025
Sale of Counterfeit Fertilisers
3410: DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of recent incidents of fake or substandard
fertilisers being sold to farmers in the State of Karnataka, including Haveri district, if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any mechanisms are currently in place to detect and prevent the
circulation of counterfeit fertilisers in rural markets, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has issued any guidelines for timely compensation
and quality control after such incidents, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether there is any plan to strengthen fertiliser quality testing, shop
inspections and digital tracking to prevent such risks in vulnerable districts of
Karnataka including Davanagere?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) State Government of Karnataka has informed that few instances of fake or
substandard fertilizers being sold to farmers has come to the notice of the
Government. In the current year, 05 cases/FIRs have been filed in the State. 02 FIRs
are filed for sales of fake fertilizers in Bagalkot district (92/2025 and 125/2025) while
01 FIR (114/2025) and 02 cases are booked (CC No. awaited) for sale of substandard
fertilizers in Haveri district of the State.
(b) Fertilizer Control Order (FCO)-1985 has laid down fertilizer-wise detailed
specifications. Any fertilizer, not meeting the said specifications, cannot be sold in the
country for agricultural purpose. Clause 19 of FCO strictly prohibits the sale or
manufacture of fertilizers which are not of prescribed standards. Any sale of
substandard/fake/adulterated fertilizers is punishable under Essential Commodities
Act, 1955.
Moreover, in order to regulate the sale of fake/adulterated fertilizers in the State, there
is a District Quality control mechanism for awareness & vigilance at the field-2-
level and awareness is spread among the farmers on the regular basis through press
note, TV talks, Kishan Gosti, Krushimela, Krushi Mahotsav etc.
Furthermore, the State Government of Karnataka has informed that under the
direct supervision of Secretary (Agriculture), Vigilance wing headed by Additional
Director of Agriculture is in place and assisted by Joint Directors of Agriculture at four
revenue sub divisions (Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi and Kalaburgi) of the State.
(c) and (d) As per the information received from State government of Karnataka,
no such guidelines have been issued. However, 7 Fertilizer Control Laboratories
are notified for testing fertilizer samples in the State out of which 6 are NABL
accredited. Further, notified inspectors of the State and Davanagere district inspect
dealers/ manufacturing units/godowns in their jurisdiction on regular basis and take
legal actions against the sale of fake/substandard fertilizers as per the provisions of
the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985.
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