fertilizercontrolorder-230518141257-dda75124.pdf

FCO 1985

1. Fertilizer Control
Order
SUBMITTED TO,
Dr.MAGESHEN VR
Dr.SabareeshwariV
Assistant professor
(Soil Science)
19SAC301 –Manures, Fertilizers & Soil Fertility Management 3 (2+1)

2. Introduction
•FertilizerControlOrder(FCO)isaregulatory
frameworkestablishedbytheGovernmentof
Indiatoensurethequalityoffertilizerssoldin
thecountry.
•ThemainpurposeofFCOistoregulatethe
manufacture,distribution,sale,andimportof
fertilizerstoprotectfarmersfromsubstandard
oradulteratedfertilizers.
•Fertilizersplayacrucialroleinagricultureby
providingessentialnutrientstocropsto
enhancetheirgrowthandyield.Therefore,
regulatingfertilizersisessentialforensuring
foodsecurityandsustainableagriculturein
India.

3. Background of
FCO
The first
Fertilizer
Control Order
was introduced
in 1957 to
regulate the
quality and
distribution of
fertilizers in
India.
Over the years,
several
amendments
were made to
the original
order to keep
pace with the
changing needs
of the industry
and the
agricultural
sector.
In1985,FCO
wasamendedto
includestricter
qualitycontrol
measuresand
labeling
requirementsto
ensure that
farmershave
accesstohigh-
quality
fertilizers.

4. Objectives
The main objectives of FCO are to ensure the quality of fertilizers, protect
farmers from substandard or adulterated fertilizers, and promote
sustainable agriculture.
FCO aims to achieve these objectives by regulating the manufacture,
distribution, sale, and import of fertilizers and by specifying quality
standards, labeling requirements, and licensing and registration procedures.

5. Types of Fertilizers
Fertilizers can be broadly
categorized into two types: organic
and inorganic.
Organicfertilizersarederivedfrom
naturalsourcessuchasanimal
manure,plantresidues,and
compost,whileinorganicfertilizers
aresynthesizedfromchemicals.
Inorganicfertilizersarefurther
classifiedintothreetypes:
nitrogenous,phosphatic,and
potassic,basedontheirnutrient
composition.

6. Quality Control
FCO specifies quality parameters for various types of fertilizers to ensure that
they meet the minimum standards of purity, strength, and composition.
These quality parameters include the minimum percentage of nutrient content,
maximum permissible limits of impurities, and physical characteristics such as
particle size and moisture content.
Fertilizer samples are collected from manufacturers, importers, and distributors,
and tested in accredited laboratories to determine whether they meet the quality
standards specified in FCO.

7. Labelingand Packaging
FCOmandatesthat
allfertilizerssold
inIndiamustbe
labeled with
specific
informationtohelp
farmersidentify
theproductandits
quality.
Thelabelmust
includethename
andaddressofthe
manufactureror
importer,the
brandname,the
typeoffertilizer,
the nutrient
content,andthe
batchnumber.
Thepackagingmustalso
complywithcertain
specifications,suchas
beingtamper-proofand
resistanttomoisture,to
ensurethatthefertilizer
remainssafeand
effectiveduringstorage
andtransportation.

8. Licensing and Registration
•FCOrequiresallfertilizermanufacturersandimporterstoobtainalicenseor
registrationfromthegovernmentbeforetheycanstarttheiroperations.
•Thelicenseorregistrationisgrantedonlyiftheapplicantmeetstheeligibility
criteria,suchashavingtherequiredtechnicalandfinancialresources,and
complyingwiththequalitystandardsandlabelingrequirementsspecifiedin
FCO.
•Thelicenseorregistrationmustberenewedperiodically,andtheauthorities
canrevokeitifthelicenseeviolatesanyoftheprovisionsofFCO.

9. Enforcement of FCO
•TheenforcementofFCOisthe
responsibilityofvariousauthorities,suchas
theCentralFertilizerQualityControland
TrainingInstitute(CFQC&TI),State
FertilizerControlLaboratory,andFertilizer
ControlOrderEnforcementWing.
•Theseauthoritiesconductinspections,
collectsamples,andtestfertilizerstoensure
compliancewiththeprovisionsofFCO

10. FCO specifies penalties for violating its provisions, which include
imprisonment and fines.
The severity of the penalty depends on the nature and extent of the
violation, such as selling substandard or adulterated fertilizers,
mislabeling, or operating without a license.
The authorities can also seize and destroy the non-compliant
fertilizers to prevent their sale to farmers.

11. Impact of
FCO
FCO has had a significant impact on the fertilizer
industry and the agricultural sector in India.
It has helped to improve the quality of fertilizers
sold in the country and protect farmers from
substandard or adulterated fertilizers.
FCO has also promoted sustainable agriculture
by encouraging the use of high-quality fertilizers
that are effective and safe for the environment.
Overall, FCO has played a crucial role in ensuring food
security and promoting rural development in India.

12. Challenges and
Future Prospects
•FCOfacesseveralchallenges,suchasthe
proliferationofspuriousandcounterfeit
fertilizers,inadequatetestingfacilities,andlack
ofawarenessamongfarmers.
•Toaddressthesechallenges,thegovernment
needstostrengthentheenforcementofFCO,
investintestingfacilities,andincrease
awarenessamongfarmersabouttheimportance
ofusinghigh-qualityfertilizers.
•ThefutureoutlookforFCOispositive,withthe
governmentcommittedtopromotingsustainable
agricultureandensuringfoodsecuritythrough
effectiveregulationoffertilizers.

13. •TheFertilizerControlOrder(FCO)isavitalregulatoryframeworkin
Indiathatgovernstheproduction,distribution,andsaleoffertilizers.
Itensuresthatfarmersreceivehigh-qualityfertilizersthataresafefor
theenvironmentandbeneficialforcropgrowth.TheFCOsetsquality
standardsforfertilizers,includingtheirnutrientcontent,labeling,
packaging,andmaximumpermissiblelimitsforvariouschemical
compounds.
•TheFCO'simplementationhashelpedtoincreaseagricultural
productivityandpromotefoodsecurityinIndia.Themandatory
registrationoffertilizerswiththeCentralFertilizerQualityControl
andTrainingInstitute(CFQC&TI)ensuresthatonlyqualityfertilizers
aresoldinthemarket,andnon-compliancewiththeFCOcanresultin
legalaction,includingfines,cancellationofregistration,and
imprisonment.
•TheFCOisadynamicregulationthatevolveswithchangesin
technology,scientificknowledge,andagriculturalpractices,andits
continuedimplementationiscrucialforthesustainabledevelopment
oftheagriculturalsectorinIndia.
Conclusion

14. Reference
•"Fertilizer Technology and Control" by S. S. Kapur
•"Handbook of Fertilizers" by S. M. Mukherjee
•"Fertilizer Manual" by R. P. Singh and M. S.
Randhawa
•https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357867071_I
ntroduction_to_Fertilizer_Control_Order?enrichId=rgr
eqbb77676785e8bde2aeb0da3e08cf07bdXXX&enrich
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MzODU%3D&el=1_x_2&_esc=publicationCoverPdf

15. Submitted By,
Kaaviya AV
CB.AG.U4AGR
20029