FCO

How to register a fertilizer in FCO (Fertilizer Control Order 1985) ?

As per Fertilizer Control Order 1985, only listed fertilizers are permitted to sell to Indian farmers. A fertilizer should also conform to the specification governed by FCO and an establishment of state agencies continuously monitor quality standard of such fertilizers, be it imported or locally manufactured.

Inclusion of a new fertilizer or a new specification of an existing fertilizer has to follow the following procedure -

1. Trial - A fertilizer has to be thoroughly tried with any state University before it is presented to the concerning authorities for consideration. Usually the same has to be tried on various crops in  7-8 different locations and min of 14 different plots under the supervision of an government agriculture university. Time duration for research should be 3-5 years min.

2. Recommendation - Information of trial result, cost benefit ratio has to worked out by the university and recommended through a project report endorsed by the head of research. Other documents of research in other countries or else where in India can also be enclosed.

3. Presentation - An application along with the report is then submitted to the INM, Ministry of agriculture, New Delhi, for consideration and further evaluation by ICAR. This is however an internal procedure of ministry and recommendation of ICAR is shared with the applicant if further details needed.

4. Inclusion - If approved by ICAR, INM presents the case to "Central Fertilizer Committee", the ultimate approval authority, during their schedule meeting multiple times in a year.